The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child receives his or her first orthodontic screening by age 7. By this age the front permanent teeth and 1st molars have erupted, establishing a bite that can be easily evaluated.
Early evaluation allows for the timely detection of problems and a greater opportunity for more effective treatment. By starting treatment early, we are able to recognize potential problems and correct them before they become more serious.
During your child's initial evaluation, we will first determine if there are any problems that may benefit from early treatment. Some common issues include:
- Cross bites
- Crowding
- Impacted teeth
- Protrusive teeth
- Asymmetric/narrow jaw growth
- Space preservation
In cases such as these, orthodontic appliances may be placed to prevent a problem from occurring, correct a current problem, or help direct jawbone growth. If early treatment is not needed, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development to determine the ideal treatment time.
To find out if your child is a candidate for early interceptive treatment, schedule a consultation.