We have another great guest post on dental care from Dr. Nima Hajibaik at Newpark Orthodontics of Alpharetta and Johns Creek.
Early Orthodontic treatment can begin as soon as 7-years-old for some children. Although the typical age for braces is between 9 and 13, 7 seems to be the age that can help to prevent problematic areas before they can become harder to correct or may even become permanent.
When you take your child in for early orthodontic treatment, it is typically done in a Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment process. The first phase will introduce your child to the orthodontist and establish a relationship with them. As a parent, you can decide whether it will be a good match or not at this time. Because the relationship between your child and the orthodontist will last for several years, you want to make sure it will be a good fit.
Generally during the first phase, the orthodontist will give your child a thorough examination of the gums, mouth, teeth, and jaw for a base point. Although your child will still have most of his or her primary teeth at this time, the orthodontist will have the ability to stop a problem before it develops and can also correct bad oral habits at this time. The jaw bone plays a very important part in the development and alignment of teeth and the orthodontist can help to ensure that it grows at the correct rate of development so teeth will come in straight.
The doctor will check how your child chews and bites and will make sure the teeth and jaw are in alignment to avoid any occlusions and will take necessary steps to correct them. During the process of losing primary teeth and cutting permanent teeth, the orthodontist can help to guide the emerging teeth in their perfect position to prevent problems down the line. It is important to know that the first phase can save time and money when it’s time to enter into the second phase of treatment.
When it’s time to enter in to the second phase, braces will be placed on your child’s teeth. Braces will move and straighten secondary/permanent teeth into their proper position which will help with speech, chewing, smiling, and proper jaw alignment. If proper jaw alignment is not pursued when your child is young when bone density is more easily manipulated, your child may need surgery to correct this anomaly at a later date when bones become harder and more difficult to move.
Not every child will need to undergo the Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment process. There are early warning signs to look for that will alert you to take your son or daughter to the orthodontist as early as 7-years-old. If you begin to notice your child has an overbite, cross bite, crowding teeth, underbite, wide spaces between teeth, or missing teeth, it’s time to take him or her in for a consultation with an orthodontist.
Any or all of these problems can be corrected early on to ensure your child’s facial features will develop as they should, that they don’t have speech problems or digestive problems, and that your child can be healthy and happy with a perfect smile that boosts confidence and lends greater self-esteem.
About
Newpark Orthodontics of Alpharetta and Johns Creek is an orthodontic practice dedicated to helping children, teens and adults achieve a perfect smile by providing best orthodontic treatments with high-tech braces from traditional metal braces to lingual, clear and ceramic braces as well as Invisalign. Dr. Nima Hajibaik is the only orthodontist in Alpharetta and Johns Creek voted best for 3 times.
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