At What Age Should a Child First Visit the Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This early visit allows Dr. Drobocky to determine if orthodontic treatment will be necessary and the ideal time to begin treatment. Many dentists in our community are trained to identify orthodontic issues early and may refer you to our office before age 7.
Why Are Children Being Evaluated at Such an Early Age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can 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. Drobocky can guide the growth of the jaw and the eruption of permanent teeth. Early treatment can also:
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches
- Create space for permanent teeth
- Prevent the need for tooth extractions
- Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- Correct thumb-sucking habits
- Eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech issues
In short, early treatment can simplify later treatment once all the permanent teeth have erupted.
Does Early Treatment Benefit All Children?
Early treatment does not benefit all children. Some orthodontic issues can be more effectively addressed during the teenage years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted.
Certain skeletal orthodontic problems may be better treated once growth is more advanced or complete. Dr. Drobocky will develop a personalized treatment plan based on each child’s individual needs. If the child is not ready for treatment, they will be placed in our orthodontic supervisory program.
In Addition to a Beautiful New Smile, What Are Some Other Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment?
Braces do more than enhance your child’s smile. They can improve the function of the bite and teeth, make it easier to clean the teeth, prevent excessive wear, and increase the longevity of natural teeth over a lifetime. Additional benefits include:
- Improved facial appearance
- Better self-confidence
- Enhanced jaw alignment for more comfort
- Prevention of future dental issues
If a Child Has Treatment Early, Will This Prevent the Need for Braces as an Adolescent?
Early treatment can address significant problems, prevent more severe issues from developing, and make future treatment easier. However, because all the permanent teeth may not have erupted during early treatment, their final alignment may not be fully corrected at that time.
Typically, a shorter comprehensive treatment phase (Phase II—full braces) during the teen years, once all permanent teeth have erupted, will complete the correction. In some cases, no further treatment may be needed.
Do We Still Need to See Our Family Dentist During Orthodontic Treatment?
Patients with braces and other orthodontic appliances need to work harder to keep their teeth and gums clean. To ensure the best dental health, we recommend visiting your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings every 6 months during orthodontic treatment.
What Is the Drobocky Dinos Kids Club?
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. There is no fee for this program and it helps the orthodontist determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible result for your child.
