Early Orthodontics
Posted by: Jodie Blades Diploma Level 3 in Dental Nursing
Medically reviewed by: Dr Anthony Lam BDS (Hons), MSc (Lond), MOrth RCS (Edin) Specialist Orthodontist and Clinical Lecturer at Guy's Hospital, London.
2nd December 2020
by Orthodontic Gallery on Orthodontics, Braces and Children’s Orthodontics
What’s the difference between early orthodontics and regular orthodontic treatment? Why might your child need early treatment?
These are just a few of the questions surrounding the topic of early orthodontic treatment for children. We recommend that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point, one of our orthodontic team will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment now or if it’s best to keep them under review until they’re ready to start.
What is Early Orthodontics?
Interceptive early orthodontics is the guidance of teeth eruption and correction of malocclusion (abnormal bite) by early orthodontics in order to improve future outcomes. This is usually achieved by simple fixed or removable orthodontic appliances.
signs your CHILD MAY NEED EARLY ORTHODONTICS
· Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all the permanent teeth around age 13)
· Difficulty chewing and/or biting
· Mouth breathing
· Your child continues to suck a thumb after age five
· Speech impediments
· Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
· Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
· Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes the mouth (crossbites)
· Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
WHY SHOULD CHILDREN HAVE AN EARLY ASSESSMENT?
Early treatment can be far more minimal than treatment as a teen or as an adult.
We recommend children have an initial orthodontic screening by the age of 7. As by this time, the permanent incisors (front teeth) as well as the permanent first molars should have erupted. An evaluation at this time helps identify problems with future eruptions.
We can also evaluate growth discrepancies of the jaws, crossbites (when upper teeth hit inside the lower teeth), crowding, and the development of injury-prone dental protrusions. An early orthodontic assessment enables us to advise you if treatment will even be necessary, and if so, determine the best time for your child to be treated.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
· Guide the growth of the jaws
· Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches
· Guide erupting permanent teeth to desirable positions
· Lower the risk of traumatic injury to protruded upper incisors (front teeth)
· Help eliminate harmful oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking which can cause open bites
· Reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or some speech problems
· Improve personal appearance and self-esteem
· Potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later comprehensive orthodontics
BOOK AN ORTHODONTIC ASSESSMENT AT THE ORTHODONTIC GALLERY
Meeting our orthodontic patients at a young age is always such a joy, as we see them regularly enough to watch them grow into their beautiful confident smiles! Book to see one of our friendly and professional orthodontic team today!
