Orthodontic Treatment for Children

For children who need orthodontic treatment, there is a best time to begin treatment in order to achieve the best results. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be examined by an orthodontist by age seven, or earlier if there are indications of a problem.

Why age seven? By age seven, most children have a mix of primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth, and your orthodontist will be able to spot even subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Whether your child has an inherited predisposition to a "bad bite," such as crowded teeth or unequal jaw growth, or an acquired orthodontic problem, such as from thumb sucking or an accident, the advantage of early diagnosis and treatment is that some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are found and treated early, during the years that the treatment may work in conjunction with your child's natural growth spurts. Waiting until your child's permanent teeth have come in or until her/his facial growth is nearly complete may make correction of some problems more difficult.

If an orthodontist recommends that your child needs treatment now, then s/he should be able to answer these questions for you:
• If we begin treatment now, will we avoid extracting permanent teeth?
• Will beginning now simplify the treatment that will be needed later?
• Will my child have to wear braces, and if yes, will treatment now reduce the time in braces later?
• Will beginning now influence the growth of my child's jaws in a positive manner?
• Will treating now eliminate a problem that could do damage if it's not treated?
If the answer is yes to most of these questions, there are the three types of treatment that your orthodontist may recommend…
• Preventive- Intended to keep a bad bite or crooked teeth from developing in an otherwise normal mouth and to provide adequate space for permanent teeth to come in.
• Interceptive- For problems that, left untreated, could lead to the development of more serious dental problems over time. This could include correction of thumb- and finger-sucking habits, tooth removal or resizing to guide permanent teeth into correct positions, or using a space maintainer to hold space for permanent teeth.
• Comprehensive- Involves problems with the alignment of your child's teeth, how his/her jaws function and how her/his top and bottom teeth fit together. The goal is to correct the identified problem and restore your child's bite to its optimum condition.
A check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and that he or she doesn't require treatment. In many cases, your orthodontist may simply want to watch your child and his/her orthodontic condition, doing periodic examinations to "keep an eye" on development. Any of these diagnoses ultimately will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you're doing the best for your child.

Email: dr.gordon@stroledds.com
Tel: (817) 732-9341
Website: www.fwkidsdentist.com