Benefits of Early Orthodontics
Crooked teeth? Avoid painful surgeries, teeth removals and gum disease, and opt for early orthodontic intervention. Many Orthodontic problems can be treated early and much easier at younger ages.
According to the American Association of Orthodontics children should have their first orthodontic examination at the age of seven. At this age permanent teeth are about to erupt and problems such as crowding may be easier to correct. Other problems that can be detected on children in this age are chewing,
biting or speech difficulties, jaw joint problems as well as misplaced or extra teeth. With the use of functional orthopedic appliances such as a palatal expander as an alternative for dental braces, many of these problems can be corrected eliminating long and painful treatments as adults.Benefits:The main advantage of early orthodontics is that the child’s jaw and bones are still growing so it is easier to help teeth erupt in better positions. This early intervention avoids future practices in adults with crowded teeth such as having to extract some teeth to make more space and then use orthodontic braces to accommodate the teeth properly. Children that receive early treatment usually have to go through a phase II of intervention years later which may include the use of braces, however in most cases early intervention shortens and simplifies future treatments during adulthood. Besides reducing the total treatment time and improving children's dental aesthetics, early orthodontics also prevents future surgical interventions.When is early intervention required?Orthodontic specialists usually recommend early intervention when conditions such as Crossbite, Deepbite and Open bite occur. Crossbite happens when the bottom teeth are shifted to one side or shoved forward or backward. Deepbite occurs when the upper front teeth covers almost all the lower front teeth. Finally Open bite happens when upper and lower front teeth are forced outwards and they do not touch each other. Untreated bite abnormalities can generate a variety of problems during later years. Crowded teeth are more difficult to clean which can cause gum disease and teeth decay, and problems such as speech difficulties and accidental clipping may occur.However early orthodontic treatment is not always required and not all bite abnormalities need immediate intervention. Many of these problems can resolve naturally with time or can be treated later at a proper time, for example when all permanent teeth erupt. Orthodontist can carefully monitor children’s progress and determine the appropriate time for treatment. They can determine if your child has a severe condition that needs to be treated immediately, suggest preventative treatment as well as determine that future orthodontic intervention is most convenient. All children develop differently and orthodontic treatment will vary depending on each child and his or her condition. That is why parents should keep in mind that it is very important that children have an early examination at the age of seven in order for orthodontists to provide the option to begin treatment at the time that will most benefit your child.
