Orthodontics for Children
The American Association for Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven.
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Early detection of potential orthodontic issues gives your child a better chance for natural and normal tooth development. By working with the natural growth of your child’s teeth instead of against it, Dr. Grant can prevent problems from becoming worse and give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, Dr. Grant can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
By the age of seven, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, Dr. Grant can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships.
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of a child’s smile – orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment and affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.
If left untreated, malocclusions can result in a variety of problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, chipping and speech impediments. Orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile – it creates a healthier child!
Interceptive orthodontics simply means diagnosing and treating malocclusions as soon as they are detected. In other words, treating immediate problems and also preventing future issues. Orthodontic treatment done in this way creates room for crowded, erupting teeth, creates facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth, reduces the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, preserves space for unerupted teeth, reduces the need for tooth removal and reduces overall treatment time with braces.
