| |
|
|
| When should children be seen by an orthodontist? |
|
|
The AAO recommends that a child be evaluated for orthodontic treatment by the age of 7.
By age 7, most children have a mix of baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth. Children may experience dental crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth, and extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems.
Although treatment is unusual at this early age, some preventative treatment may be indicated.
The advantage for patients of early detection of orthodontic problems is that some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. For each patient who needs treatment, there is an ideal time to begin in order to achieve the best results. The orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient wit the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time. |
| |
| How can a child’s growth affect orthodontic treatment? |
|
|
Orthodontic treatment and a child’s growth can compliment each other. While the upper and lower jaws are growing, orthodontic appliances can be beneficial in reducing these discrepancies.
Signs that orthodontics can help: |
| |
|
| > |
Early or late loss of baby teeth |
|
|
| > |
Difficulty in chewing or biting |
|
|
| > |
Mouth breathing |
|
|
| > |
Thumb sucking |
|
|
| > |
Finger sucking |
|
|
| > |
Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth |
|
|
| > |
Jaws that shift or make sounds |
|
|
| > |
Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth |
|
|
| > |
Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all |
|
|
| > |
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face |
|
| |
|
|
|
