You may think that your child is too young to benefit from orthodontic treatment. However, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by the age of 7.
Source: American Association of Orthodontists
It’s at this time, baby teeth are being replaced by permanent teeth and it’s a perfect time to catch any early orthodontic issues. Dental problems related to jaw growth get worse, not better with time. Because children are growing rapidly at this age, young children can benefit tremendously from appliances which can balance the relationship between the upper and lower jaws and develop room for erupting teeth. This allows for easier treatment down the road with less need for extractions or surgery.
How can you tell if your child could benefit from Early Treatment? There are some signs you can look for but ultimately, you should leave it to the professionals. Orthodontists know exactly what to look for. Even if your child seems to have straight teeth, there could be underlying issues that you won’t notice.
Signs to Look for:
Protruding Incisors
Severe Crowding
Bite Problems
Deep bites
Jaw Disharmony
Under bites
Open bites
Cross bites
In most cases, Early Treatment is divided into 2 phases, with each phase beginning at the absolute best time to correct the specific problems.
Phase One occurs between the ages of 7-10 years and consists of active treatment that typically lasts 12-18 months. This phase is directed more at your child’s muscles and jaws than the teeth.
There is a resting period for 12-24 months followed by Phase Two which lasts 12-18 months. During this final phase of treatment, all baby teeth have been replaced by permanent teeth. Our focus is on correcting the positions of the teeth, closing spaces, etc.
By seeing an orthodontist early, your child will spend more time with a big, beautiful smile and less time in braces later on.