Often asked questions about early
treatment:
Often asked questions about early
treatment:
Seven is a good age for initial orthodontic evaluation. The 1st molars are visible in the back of the mouth and the permanent front teeth are erupting. These teeth limit the space available for the remaining "side" teeth erupting in future years. Certain "jaw growth" problems are best treated as early as possible, even as young as 5 or 6. Not all problems require early treatment. Please refer to question 3 above for more information.
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Interceptive treatment usually does involve "braces" and may have several goals. A common goal is developing the dental arches, increasing the room for permanent teeth before they erupt. This reduces crowding. Another goal is improving jaw relationships that are not growing in harmony. This will prevent the teeth from ever fitting correctly. Because younger children are growing rapidly, the improvements from short term interceptive treatment to modify jaw growth can be dramatic. Certain corrections are only successful at a young age.
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Upper or lower jaws not growing at same rate - protruding front teeth, or front teeth behind bottom teeth (Underbite). Chronic mouth breathing. Lips apart, even when sleeping. (Allergies often present.) Large erupting front teeth, with loss of more than one baby tooth per permanent tooth. Finger or tongue thrust habit with no contact of front teeth (Openbite).
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Commonly a second phase with "braces" is needed to exactly position the teeth. Interceptive treatment results in improved eruptive position for teeth but teeth are rarely in perfect position. This is true even with improved jaw relationships. Interceptive treatment often eliminates a compromised result that may not function adequately in the case of a jaw discrepancy, but "braces" are usually required to position all teeth in ideal position.
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Finger habits are very common in younger children, usually ceasing with age.. It is always better to substitute an approved "pacifier" if possible. This habit begins to create orthodontic problems when front permanent teeth erupt at age 6 or 7. If combined with chronic mouth breathing , a finger habit often results in distortion of facial growth with excess vertical facial length.
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Only your time. At the initial complementary examination, only three possibilities exist. 1) If treatment is needed, the chances of making room for all teeth are increased, and in cases of jaw growth problems, future need for hospital procedures to achieve a pleasing facial balance may be eliminated. 2) If treatment is needed, but its best to wait, your child can be monitored over time to allow initiating treatment at the best time for the shortest treatment time, reducing cost. 3) If no treatment is needed, you have gained valuable " peace of mind."
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