The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that at age 7 children should be evaluated by an orthodontist. This visit will provide parents with information regarding their child's skeletal growth pattern and dental development, and it will help to advise parents on ideal treatment timing. In some cases Dr. Derek will simply monitor your child at a 6 to 12 month interval until they are ready for treatment. Usually by age 7 the first permanent molars and incisors have erupted sufficiently to allow the orthodontist to evaluate for crossbites, crowding, and skeletal problems. When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth.
Benefits of Early Treatment
- Moves the front teeth back so they will be less susceptible to injury
- Uses maximum advantage of growth for successful treatment
- Takes advantage of the good cooperation of patients at this age
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches
- Gain space for permanent teeth
- Reduce the need for permanent tooth extractions
- Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- Correct thumb-sucking and regulate abnormal swallowing or speech problems
- Simplify later treatment
- Improve the child's self-image during formative years