Recommended Pediatric Orthodontic Treatment

When should my child be seen by an orthodontist?

One of the most common questions people ask their pediatric dentist or orthodontist is: “When will my child be ready for orthodontics?” While most children are ready for comprehensive orthodontics around the age of 11 to 13, starting treatment at an earlier age is sometimes necessary. Children who need care at an earlier age require a first phase of treatment around 7 to 10 years of age. In general, the ideal time to start orthodontics is when all of the primary teeth have fallen out, and all of the permanent teeth have come in.

However, certain circumstances may require a child to begin Phase 1 treatment. Phase 1 treatments range from single appliances to expand the pallet or correct the jaw to limited braces or baby teeth extraction. These special cases are grouped into what we call the three S’s: social, safety, and skeletal.

Three Reasons for Early Orthodontics Treatment

Social:

If a child is being teased or self-conscious about their smile, we want to address their concerns. We don’t want to make them wait four years before they will feel comfortable smiling in public. Waiting that long could lead to decreased self-esteem and unease in public for them. Sometimes just a few braces applied to the front teeth can greatly improve a child’s smile and confidence.

Safety:

Another reason to seek pediatric orthodontic treatment is if the child’s teeth are at risk of getting damaged. This can happen if a child’s front teeth are proclined or tipped forward. The teeth may be at a higher risk of getting fractured during a fall or if your child is hit in the mouth. Sometimes the upper front teeth can hit the lower teeth traumatically, which can lead to wear or chipping.

Skeletal:

Lastly, we want to intervene if the child has either an anterior or posterior crossbite. Crossbites can often lead to a functional shift in their bite. Left uncorrected can affect a child’s growth and development, leading to permanent skeletal asymmetry or malocclusion. There are simple treatments that, if applied at the correct time, can lead to lasting benefits for a child’s bite and smile.

Let’s Have a Conversation About Your Child’s Dental Needs

Here at KidSmiles of Lake Conroe, we try to be as conservative as possible when it comes to pediatric orthodontics treatment. Doing so can save money for our patients and decrease the risk of white-spot lesions (scarring from poor oral hygiene). The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children get their first screening with an AAO orthodontist at around seven. If you have a child who would like a complimentary orthodontic screening, please call our office to schedule an appointment soon.

Ready to schedule a consultation? Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch!

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