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Dr. Weber follows the American Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation that orthodontic treatment for children should start no later than age 7, or earlier if there is a sign of an orthodontic problem. By age 7, a child has enough permanent teeth to determine whether an orthodontic problem exists or is developing. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Some orthodontic conditions that develop at a young age can have long-term, permanent effects if not treated. We will perform a complimentary exam and discuss with you specifically what your child needs.
Examples of orthodontic concerns that are sometimes corrected with early treatment include:
- Severe crowding
- Habits
- Open bite
- Deep bite
- Crossbite
- Large “overbite”
- Underbite
- Narrow jaws
- Severely protruded front teeth
Early treatment isn’t always necessary. In most situations, we will simply continue to monitor the development of the patient’s teeth. However, interceptive orthodontic treatment for children sometimes allows us to achieve results using methods that are less invasive when employed as a child is growing. Once the face and jaws are fully formed, additional treatment may be necessary.