At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists advises that most children should undergo an orthodontic screening by age 7. This enables Dr. Andrew Taylor to assess the need for treatment and determine the optimal timing. Dentists in our community are often trained to detect orthodontic issues early and may refer patients to our office before age 7 if there are concerns.
Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can help to guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth.
If early treatment is necessary, Dr. Andrew Taylor can influence jaw growth and the positioning of permanent teeth. This early intervention can normalize dental arch width, create room for permanent teeth, prevent the need for extractions, lessen the risk of impacted teeth, address habits like thumb sucking, and correct swallowing or speech issues. Essentially, early treatment streamlines future orthodontic care, ensuring optimal dental health and development for your child.
Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not necessarily benefit all children. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted. Some skeletal orthodontic problems should only be addressed once growth is more advanced or completed. The doctors develop a treatment plan based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed on our orthodontic supervisory program. But, it’s still essential that a child is at least evaluated around age 7.
What is the Orthodontic Supervisory Program?
The orthodontic supervisory program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of permanent teeth. Sometimes, poor erupted patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth and reduce the treatment time required for braces. We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit. We normally see the patients on recall every 6-8 months to observe their progress as they grow. This program has no fee, and it helps the orthodontist determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible result for your child.
In addition to a beautiful new smile, what are some other benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Braces can improve the function of the bite and teeth, improve the ability to clean the teeth, prevent wear on the teeth, and increase the longevity of natural teeth over a lifetime.
If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as an adolescent?
Early treatment can begin correcting significant problems, prevent more severe problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. Because all of the permanent teeth have yet to erupt when early treatment is performed, their final alignment may still need to be corrected. Typically, a shortened comprehensive phase of treatment (Phase II – full braces) in the teen years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted, completes the correction. However, in some circumstances, further orthodontic treatment may not be indicated.
Do we still need to see our family dentist during orthodontic treatment?
Patients with braces and other orthodontic appliances require more effort to clean their teeth and gums. Because we want to ensure the highest level of dental health, we recommend you see your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings every 6 months during treatment.
