Is Early Orthodontics Essential for Your Child? | Vista CA
It may be surprising to learn that your child should visit an orthodontist while in elementary school since most people think of teenagers when considering orthodontic treatment. Though braces or other orthodontics are common for teenagers, early orthodontics offers your child the chance to treat bite or misalignment issues sooner to encourage better oral health for the future.
Early Orthodontics Treatments
In most cases, early orthodontic treatment can be evaluated as early as 7 years of age. Depending on the patient’s need, we can start treatment such as expansion, fix a severely crooked smile, or we can choose to wait until the child is about 12. This all depends on our patient’s needs. Some of the ways we can help your child enjoy a healthier bite include offering therapies for:
- Finger and thumb sucking
- Tongue thrusting
- Palatal expansion / growth modification
- Interceptive orthodontics
- Space maintenance (for premature loss of teeth)
What to Expect During Your Visit
During your child’s initial consultation, we will take a full mouth digital x-ray that displays his or her eruption patterns and tooth development. We then use this information to determine whether or not any guidance is needed to promote proper tooth eruption. If Early orthodontic treatment is recommended, it is usually only for a shortened amount of time – ensuring adequate spacing for additional permanent teeth to erupt properly into place.
If you think your child may benefit from early orthodontics or your family dentist has recommended you visit an orthodontist, it is essential that you contact a top-rated orthodontist in Vista to schedule your consultation. This way you can ensure that your child will receive the best orthodontic care for their dental needs.
