Early Child Orthodontic Treatment for Kids
Your Orthodontist Is Here
EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN
Usually in early age orthodontic treatment and conventional orthodontic treatment may confuse parents and give assumption that what is the requirement of child to take to orthodontist and get braces in early age . How can early age orthodontics benefit child over the period of growth.
These are regular questions raised by parents during early age orthodontic treatments for kids. In the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that child should be seen as early as seven years of childhood so that future dental issues related to malocclusions can be corrected .
At this point Dr. Dilip will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early age orthodontic treatment ( known as Phase One treatment) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two treatment will start around age 11 or more ).
The major advantage of early age treatment is to correct the growth of the facial bones and dental bite issues like under bite. Early age orthodontic treatment also create space for expansion jaws for permanent teeth to come alignment ,decreasing the chances of future extraction of teeth for good facial expression and chewing .
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILD MAY NEED EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:
Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all permanent teeth around age 13)
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
- Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
WHAT CAUSES ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS, AND HOW WILL EARLY TREATMENT BENEFIT MY CHILD?
Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.
Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 13, and by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Orthodontic procedures for adults often take more time and can involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent the need for orthodontics as an adult, leaving little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.
If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment. Our team will provide your child with an initial exam, and discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child’s smile.
A smile is a free gift that you give to the world and yourself in the process.
