Recommended Pediatric Orthodontic Treatment
When should my child see 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 between the ages of 11 and 13, starting treatment earlier 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 primary teeth have fallen out, and all 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 palate or correct the jaw, to limited braces or baby teeth extraction. We group special cases into what we call the Three S’s: social, safety, and skeletal.
Three Reasons for Early Orthodontic Treatment
Social:
We want to address your concerns when your child is teased for or self-conscious about their smile. 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 public unease for them. Sometimes, just a few braces on the front teeth can greatly improve a child’s smile and confidence.
Safety:
Another reason to seek pediatric orthodontic treatment is when the child’s teeth are at risk of damage. When a child’s front teeth are proclined or tipped forward, their teeth may be at a higher risk of fracturing. This could happen during a fall or if your child is hit in the mouth. Sometimes the upper front teeth can traumatically hit the lower teeth, leading to wear or chipping.
Skeletal:
Lastly, we will intervene if the child has an anterior or posterior crossbite. Crossbites often lead to a functional shift in their bite. Left uncorrected, it affects a child’s growth and development. This effect may lead 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 and Huntsville, we try to be as conservative as possible with pediatric orthodontic treatment. Doing so can save our patients money and reduce the risk of white-spot lesions (scarring from poor oral hygiene). The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first screening with an AAO orthodontist around age 7. If you have a child who would like a complimentary orthodontic screening, please call our office to schedule an appointment soon.
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