Early Orthodontic Treatment
Age 7 is a great time to be evaluated for an early phase of orthodontic treatment!
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. The results are often better and require less work than if we wait to begin treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices that there might be a problem or before they are 7 years old. We may not have to do anything when the children are this age, other than monitor their growth and development on a yearly basis. Early intervention can be beneficial.
You may wonder why the AAO emphasizes age 7. At this age, the first adult molars come in and help establish the back bite. Once the molars are erupted, we can evaluate your child’s bite, both front-to-back and side-to-side. There are many reasons to start treatment early. Early treatment allows us to do the following:
- Make room for the permanent teeth when there is overcrowding
- Ensure facial symmetry
- Reduce trauma when the front teeth are protruding
Also, early treatment reduces the need to remove teeth and reduces the duration patients must wear braces. Though many people don’t believe in orthodontic treatment, without it you may have to deal the following problems according to AAO studies:
- Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear
- Open bites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments
On the other hand, with an early phase of orthodontic treatment, you may have the following benefits:
- A healthier mouth since crowded teeth can be hard to brush
- Less cavities and gum disease
- Fewer broken teeth since protruding teeth are more likely to get broken
We truly believe that orthodontic care is about more than just a pretty smile. We believe that it makes you healthier.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us today at (907) 452-2939.