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WHY HAVE EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

January 20, 2024

WHAT IS EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Early Orthodontic Treatment is the intervention by an Orthodontist during the stage where your child has both baby and permanent teeth.  The goal being to address problems early enough to prevent them from getting worse later on.  Age 7 is key.

WHAT IS EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

Early Orthodontic Treatment is the intervention by an Orthodontist during the stage where your child has both baby and permanent teeth.  The goal being to address problems early enough to prevent them from getting worse later on.  Age 7 is key.

 

WHAT CAN EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT ACCOMPLISH?

  1. Developing the jaws for better facial growth and esthetics
  2. Decreasing the need for extraction of permanent teeth later on 
  3. Getting rid of habits such as finger sucking, tongue sucking, tongue thrusting etc.
  4. Giving guidance and treating the results of issues such as mouth breathing and snoring
  5. Decreasing the need for jaw surgery 
  6. Boosting Self Esteem and helping to prevent issues with bullying

 

WHAT CAN WE TREAT?

  1. Crowding
  2. Spacing
  3. Overbites
  4. Underbites
  5. Oral habits

 

WHEN SHOULD YOU SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST ORTHODONTIC VISIT?

By age 7.  This age is a great age, as your child is beginning to exchange teeth and the face and jaws are still growing and developing.  I have treated a few children as early as 5 due to an underbite.  This particular bite has it's greatest results if addressed as early as possible.

 

DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST?

The answer is no!  In my experience many dentists do not refer early enough to Orthodontists and quite a few Orthodontists do not believe in early treatment.  If you believe there is an issue with your child's bite, schedule an appointment with an Orthodontist and if they say "come back to see me after all the baby teeth are gone" and you still believe there is an issue, find an Orthodontist, like myself who believes in the benefits of early treatment when indicated. Early treatment is truly a gift.

 

CONCLUSION

Early Orthodontic Treatment is truly a gift.  Age 7 is key for your first Orthodontic Visit.  You do not need a referral from your dentist to see an Orthodontist.  I am a strong believer in early treatment, as I have seen the great results possible.  Not every Orthodontist has this philosophy, nor will every dentist will refer you to an orthodontist.  If you as a parent believe there is an issue with your child's bite, call an Orthodontist and schedule your first visit by age 7.  

 

Thank you for visiting, please share this page with family, friends and associates, and we look forward to seeing you in our future blogs.  If you are local to us and need to have questions answered regarding your little one, please feel free to call and schedule a complimentary exam.

“The smile of a child is worth everything.”
-Dr. DeCambre 

 

Written by

Dr. Martine A. DeCambre, BSc, BSN, DDS, Orthodontic Certif.

Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopedist

Owner Braces For Us 2.0

“Early Orthodontic Treatment is indeed a gift.”

 

This blog is for educational purposes only.  Please seek dental or healthcare help from a professional to help to address your concerns.