Join The Thousands Of Smiles Transformed With Orthodontic Care At Inner Smiles Orthodontics
Your child is unique, and so is his or her skeletal growth and dental development. The start of orthodontic treatment should not be based solely on age.
Early diagnosis of orthodontic problems not only gives Dr. Bentele the best chance of properly timing your child’s treatment but also allows for the highest probability of success in correcting your child’s malocclusion.
Orthodontics is all about timing. Beginning treatment at the proper time period assures the best result with the least amount of time and financial contribution.
When Should I Bring My Child In For His Or Her First Consultation?
7 years old is recommended by Dr. Bentele and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
Why Do They Need To See An Orthodontist At Such A Young Age?
At 7 years old, the adult 1st molars have erupted and this allows Dr. Bentele to get an initial diagnosis for your child’s bite and skeletal growth pattern. This evaluation allows Dr. Bentele to give you guidance about future treatment needs and timing and identify any interceptive treatment that would prevent bigger problems in the future.
Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?
Most children do not need early orthodontic treatment. The appropriate time to begin your child’s orthodontics will vary depending on the type and severity of their malocclusion, as well as their stage in dental development. This is a time to differentiate between “could” and “should”. It is normal for children from 7-12 years old to have some crooked teeth but we should only intervene at this age to prevent worse problems in the future or if care is more easily accomplished at this age.
What Are The Possible Benefits Of Early Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment For Children?
These are a few of the most common results of interceptive treatment:
- Guiding jaw growth
- Expanding the upper jaw
- Reducing the need for removal of permanent (adult) teeth
- Creating space for crowded out unerupted teeth
- Reducing overbites and correcting underbites
- Minimizing the risk of trauma to protruding teeth
- Correcting asymmetrical jaw alignment due to crossbites
- Reducing the risk of treatment complications and difficulties after growth has stopped
What Happens If My Child Does Not Need Early Orthodontic Treatment?
If it is determined that your child does not need any interceptive treatment, he or she will be put on “Growth & Development” status at our office. Your child will return for follow-up appointments every 6-12 months to monitor progress and intervene if problems develop. Most parents who bring their 7-11 year-old child to our office leave with the comfort of knowing that orthodontic treatment can wait. Those who do learn that they need early intervention treatment gain the benefit of avoiding more invasive and expensive treatments later in life. In short, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by visiting Inner Smiles Orthodontics in Colorado Springs today!
