Early Orthodontics

When Should My Child First Visit an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children have their first orthodontic screening by age 7. However, because Dr. Marc Allen has been a proponent of early intervention for purposes of airway development, which influences the direction of facial growth, Dr. Allen likes to see kids as early as 5 years old.  

After all, we all know more oxygen equals a healthier body, healthier lifestyle, and a healthier soul.  This early assessment helps us evaluate the best timing for orthodontic treatment. If your child’s dentist identifies potential issues before age 7, they may refer you to our office for an early evaluation.

Why Evaluate Children Early?

Early orthodontic evaluations are crucial for several reasons:

• Guiding Tooth Eruption: Early treatment can help direct teeth into their proper positions.
• Space Preservation: It ensures there’s enough room for permanent teeth.
• Injury Prevention: It reduces the risk of injury to protruded front teeth.
• Increase the dimension of the upper jaw, which has been associated with the long-term relationship of one jaw to another, tooth grinding, snoring, sleep, restless leg, ADHD, irritability, and more, all while impacting the physical size of the airway passages. 

Starting treatment early can also help regulate jaw growth, adjust the width of dental arches, and address issues like thumb sucking and abnormal swallowing. This proactive approach simplifies later treatment and supports optimal dental health and growth.

Is Early Treatment Necessary for Every Child?

Early treatment is not always needed. Some orthodontic issues are best corrected during adolescence when all permanent teeth have emerged. Complex skeletal problems may also be more effectively treated later. If early intervention isn’t required, your child will be enrolled in our orthodontic supervisory program. Even if immediate treatment isn’t needed, it’s important to have an evaluation around age 7.

Understanding the Orthodontic Supervisory Program

Our orthodontic supervisory program is designed for children who aren’t yet ready for active treatment. Through this program:

• Monitoring Growth: We track the eruption patterns of permanent teeth.
• Early Adjustments: If needed, early removal of baby teeth can reduce future treatment time.

We schedule follow-up visits every 6-8 months to observe your child’s progress. At no additional cost, this program helps us determine the ideal time to begin treatment and achieve the best results.

What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment offers many benefits beyond just achieving a beautiful smile. It can improve oral health, enhance bite function, and boost self-confidence.

By addressing issues such as crowding, spacing, and bite misalignment early, we can guide the growth of your child’s teeth and jaw. Dr. Allen is dedicated to providing personalized care and helping your child achieve a healthy, functional smile that lasts a lifetime.

• Improved Bite Function: Enhances how your child’s teeth come together.
• Easier Cleaning: Makes it simpler to maintain oral hygiene.
• Longer Lasting Teeth: Helps prevent wear and extends the longevity of natural teeth.

Will Early Treatment Prevent the Need for Braces Later?

Early treatment does not necessarily eliminate the need for treatment in the future nor the time we spend in our comprehensive treatment phase (Phase II).  It simply makes treatment, once all the permanent teeth are fully erupted, more impactful, reduces the likelihood of more severe problems,  helping us reach our maximum potential. 

Do We Still Need to See Our Family Dentist During Orthodontic Treatment?

Yes, regular visits to your family dentist are essential during orthodontic treatment. Braces and other appliances can make it more challenging to keep teeth and gums clean. To maintain the highest level of dental health, we recommend seeing your family dentist every 6 months for check-ups and cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment.