OrthoOne - Affordable Orthodontics for Children, Adolesents and Adults

The American Dental Association recommends
that a child first visit the family dentist between
the ages of 6 and 12 months, while the child’s
primary (baby) teeth are erupting. It is an
excellent time to lay a foundation for a
lifetime of good dental habits. At this early
age, the pattern of dental eruption can
be seen, and the parent can be alerted
to developmental changes that might
occur. This allows the child’s first
experiences with the dentist to be
positive. That, in turn, begins to establish
a good attitude toward dental care.

At the first checkup, you and your child probably will receive instructions on proper care of the teeth and advice on the importance of a proper diet. Thereafter, regular visits will be necessary to detect problems early and maintain good dental health.

Another Important Visit

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that a child’s first visit to an orthodontist take place when an orthodontic problem is first detected. Depending on the nature of the problem, whether it is a jaw growth problem, tooth problem, this first visit could take place as early as age 2 or 3, as the primary teeth erupt. Whether or not an orthodontic problem is detected, however, a child should visit an orthodontist for a checkup no later than age 7. This may surprise you because orthodontic treatment usually is associated with adolescences. Although treatment will not necessarily begin at this early age, an examination is important to ensure maximum dental health for your child.

The following early warning signs may indicate that your child should have an orthodontic examination:

Early or late loss of teeth

Difficulty in chewing or biting

Mouth breathing

Finger sucking or other oral habits

Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth

Jaws that shift or make sounds

Speech difficulty

Biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth

Protruding teeth

Teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or don’t meet at all

Facial imbalance

Jaws that protrude or retrude

Grinding or clenching of the teeth

An orthodontic examination is advisable any time a particular problem is noted by the parent, family dentist or child's physician.

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The Benefits Of Early Diagnostic

Orthodontists can improve smiles at any age,
but there usually is an optimum time for
treatment to begin. An early examination
allows the orthodontic specialist to
determine how and when a child’s particular
problem should be treated for maximum
improvement requiring the least amount
of time and providing the greatest benefit.
With some patients, early treatment
achieves results that are unattainable
once the face and jaws have finished
growing.

The First visit

Recognizing an orthodontic problem at an early age does not always result in early treatment. After evaluating your child, the orthodontist may simply want to check your child periodically while their permanent teeth are erupting and the jaws and face continue to grow.

However, if your child has a problem that requires attention, your orthodontists may recommend interceptive treatment. Early intervention, which takes advantage of facial growth and tooth eruption, can lessen the severity of a problem, and it frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age less time-consuming and less expensive.

Interceptive treatment may be beneficial in:

Avoiding fracture or loss of protruding teeth

Assuring that the jaws and teeth meet properly during chewing and swallowing

Eliminating adverse habits such as thumb-finger sucking, tongue thrusting and lip habits

Correcting early alignment of teeth

Enhancing proper speech development

Evaluating breathing problems that may adversely affect normal growth and jaw shape

Correcting cross bite, tooth grinding, tooth interference and lower jaw displacement

Coordinating the extraction of primary (baby) teeth with the family dentist and allowing for proper eruption of permanent teeth

Improving self-image

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Types Of Orthodontic problems

The technical term for teeth and jaws that do not fit and work together properly is “malocclusion,” commonly called a “bad bite.” Most malocclusions are inherited, but some are acquired.

Inherited problems include crowding or spacing of the teeth caused by a difference in the size of teeth and jaws or differing facial patterns of the parents.

Acquired malocclusions can be caused by finger sucking, tongue position, airway obstruction, dental disease, or premature loss or retention of the primary (baby) teeth.

Whether inherited or acquired, many of these problems affect not only alignment of the teeth but also facial appearance. It also is important to note that orthodontic problems can be present behind perfectly acceptable smiles. An orthodontic specialist is especially qualified to diagnose existing or potential conditions that require treatment.

The Importance Of Treatment

Every parent wants his or her child to have a beautiful smile—and every child should have a healthy smile with properly functioning teeth. The orthodontist’s goal is to achieve both for the patient.

Untreated malocclusions may contribute to conditions that may cause tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, , loss of teeth, mouth breathing and jaw joint problems. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is truly applicable here.

In addition, uncorrected problems can adversely affect a child’s speech, general health and self esteem.

A child’s self confidence almost always increases when his or her smile is improved. This also has an impact on those around the child—parents, siblings, teachers, and other children. Successful treatment can lead to greater success in all areas of the child’s life. In short, the value of a beautiful, healthy smile should not be underestimated.

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