When should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should be evaluated by an orthodontist at the first sign of potential issues or by age 7. Scheduling a consultation around your chiid's seventh birthday will allow us timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. If your child is older than seven and has not yet seen an orthodontist, be assured that his or her dentist has been monitoring growth, bite and watching for potential issues at each dental appointment. An orthodontic consultation does not require a referral from the dentist.
Why age 7?
By the age of 7, most children have begun to get their permanent teeth and growth patterns can be identified. Early examination and interceptive treatment can address and prevent a range of tooth and jaw problelms. If left untreated, these may cause bigger issues for your child as he or she grows. An additional benefit of early treatment is the positive impact it will have on your child's self-esteem.
What will early intervention address?
The most common problems addressed by treatment at an early age include:
- Crossbites - which cause unfavorable growth, tooth wear and recession
- Severe jaw growth discrepencies
- Protruding front teeth - which have increased risk of trauma
- Premature tooth lose - which cause blocked teeth
- Blocked or impacted teeth
Braces are Beautiful!
Ultimately, early orthodontic evaluation enables diagnosis and treatment to correct issues, which impact the look and health of your child’s smile. At Quimby and Collins, we have found that our young patients love their braces and are eager to accept the responsibility that comes with them. They love what their braces do for their appearance and self-confidence. (and so do their parents!)