Early Treatment
What is early orthodontic treatment? Early orthodontic treatment is performed before a child reaches their growth spurt, usually between the ages of 7 and 11.
A Tailored Orthodontic Experience
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics
Early orthodontic treatment is performed before a child reaches their growth spurt, usually between the ages of 7 and 11. Its main purpose is to correct dental and jaw problems as they arise and to guide your child’s growth to prevent more significant problems later in adulthood.
A child’s growth is accompanied by many physical, psychological, and developmental changes. As these growth changes occurs, there are certain things you should be on the look-out for.
Many of these problems are signs that early treatment is needed and most of these problems can be easily addressed at an early age.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be seen by an orthodontist at the age of 7-8.
By this age, most children are beginning to lose their baby teeth and the adult teeth are starting to come in. It is also at this developmental stage that teeth and jaw problems arise. Orthodontic treatment between the ages of 7 and 11 is commonly referred to as early treatment.
Teenagers undergo many social and biological changes during adolescence. During the early teenage years, many adult teeth are finally coming into their final position and some of the facial bones and cartilages are growing faster than ever before. This growth can be guided by the orthodontist to achieve facial harmony and to align the teeth in a more favorable position.
In addition, many of your child’s peers are wearing braces, making the teenage years the most socially acceptable time to undergo orthodontic treatment.
While metal braces are still the most common type of orthodontic appliance among teenagers, advances in technology have made other, more esthetic options, available to young adults.
A growing number of teenagers are electing for clear aligners like Invisalign to correct minor orthodontic problems. Similarly, lingual braces are gaining in popularity among teens with more severe orthodontic problems who require a completely invisible solution. Other options include ceramic, tooth colored braces on the outside of the teeth and gold-plated braces. We are proud to offer all of these options in our office and will make recommendations based on your child’s needs, circumstances, and orthodontic diagnosis to achieve a personalized and excellent treatment outcome.
Because adult orthodontic treatment is often more complex, we take a highly personalized, thorough, and comprehensive approach to diagnosis, planning, and treatment.
This includes an initial consultation, planning phase, and then an actual appointment to get your braces or clear aligners.
