Early Treatment

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 child’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 problems. 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 discrepancies
Protruding front teeth - which have increased risk of trauma
Premature tooth loss - 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 & Collins Orthodontics, 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!)

Invisalign First

Invisalign has launched a new program called Invisalign First for children in need of Phase 1 Treatment. Invisalign First is designed to treat a broad range of teeth straightening issues in growing children and they are removable for easy hygiene, making it easier to brush and floss! Ask Drs. Quimby and Collins if your child is a candidate for Invisalign First!

To learn more about a palatal expander, check out this video.