Straighten Your Smile

We are pleased to offer several different options for our young patients to successfully straighten their teeth and transform their smile.

ORTHODONTIC BRACES FOR CHILDREN

Children should see an Orthodontist by age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and it is the best time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and cross bites, crowding, and other problems can be evaluated. Early treatment can simplify later treatment.

We are pleased to offer both traditional metal and clear braces for kids!

Dental Check-Ups and Orthodontics in Young Children

In most cases, a child will need to begin their orthodontic transformation once all (or most) of their permanent teeth are in. But in some cases, early intervention may be needed.

It’s crucial to take your growing child for regular dental cleanings and checkups. During these important visits, your family dentist will examine the development of your child’s mouth. If issues start to present themselves, they can be caught and addressed quickly.

If it looks like your child has a narrow arch and won’t have enough room for all of her permanent teeth to come in
correctly, Phase I (Phase One) orthodontic treatment, also called ‘interceptive orthodontic treatment,’ can begin. By providing an arch expansion, your child’s permanent teeth won’t be forced to be crowded.

This is an issue that can be dealt with later in life, as an adult – but it’s much easier and quicker to treat in a child since we can take advantage of their growing mouth. Phase I treatment uses orthodontic appliances, retainer-like devices, and partial braces to prevent a problem from occurring, correct a current problem or modify your child’s growth and dental development.

What are some indications Phase I treatment may be needed?

A bite that comes together wrong can have a number of consequences like pain in the jaw, neck, and head. Others include wear of the teeth and crowding of the child’s teeth. Too much spacing can also be a concern.

An improper bite can be:

• A cross-bite: When the teeth meet together, some of the upper teeth are sitting behind the lower ones, but others aren’t.
• An underbite: The lower front teeth are in front of the upper teeth.
• A deep bite: When closed, the upper front teeth are positioned in front of the lower front teeth.
• An open bite: An opening remains between the top and bottom front teeth when the jaws are closed. This is most commonly seen in “thumb suckers”.

Often early treatment turns severe problems that might require future jaw surgery into a more moderate conditions that can be treated with braces or orthodontics alone.

When should my child start orthodontic treatment?

Phase I early treatment typically begins between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation by 7 years of age. Having an early consultation is the best way to ensure that your child’s growth and dental development stays on the proper track.