When is the time to have your child evaluated for orthodontics?

 

We evaluate each child, at every age, during both new and recare visits, for their facial growth and development. 
Are the jaws developing appropriately?  Is the correct amount of teeth present?  Do oral habits exist?  Is there adequate room for the teeth? Do the teeth protrude too far?

 

What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?

 

Early evaluation provides both timely detection and treatment of problems and greater opportunity for more effective natural growth and development. Prudent intervention, when appropriate, will balance faces with smiles to enhance self-esteem, reduce trauma to front teeth, decrease the number of permanent teeth removed due to crowding, correct oral habits and more!

 

When is the best time to begin orthodontic care?

 

We evaluate each child for their own needs and recommend a customized treatment at the appropriate age.  We try to correct problems before they make matters worse, so that each child's facial growth and development can reach its full potential. Our goal is to balance faces with smiles.

 

What are the advantages of age appropriate treatment?

 

Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:

• Balancing faces with smiles

• Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth

• Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth

• Preserving space for erupting permanent teeth

• Intercept oral habits

• Allow better speech development

• Decrease or eliminate jaw surgery

• Reducing the need for tooth removal

• Reduce and simplify treatment time

• Improve chances for better stability of treatment for full braces

• Utilize better patient compliance prior to the challenging teen years

 

What is Orthodontics?

 

Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.

 

Why should malocclusions be treated?

 

Untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems:

 

• Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease.

• Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental fractures resulting in restorations, root canals, crowns and implants

• Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.

• Openbites are associated with tongue-thrusting habits, speech impediments.  And jaw joint problems.

 

Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile – it creates a healthier you and provides a better self image.