Although many people associate orthodontic treatment with adolescence, a qualified orthodontist can spot subtle problems with jaw growth or the teeth much earlier, while the primary, or “baby,” teeth are present.
Parents may incorrectly assume they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit the orthodontist. However, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child get a checkup with an orthodontist no later than age 7.
It is important that parents understand the value of an orthodontic checkup. By the age of 7, enough permanent teeth have erupted for an orthodontist to evaluate the anterior-posterior and transverse relationships of the bite, as well as discover any bite shifting.
Front teeth have also begun to erupt, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and subtle facial asymmetries can be detected.
For some, a timely evaluation will lead to significant treatment benefits. For most, the principal and immediate benefit is a parent’s peace of mind.
Some of the more readily apparent conditions that indicate the need for an examination include:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Open-mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Speech difficulties
- Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or don’t meet at all
- Facial imbalance
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws (bad bites). In addition to dental school, an orthodontist receives two to three years of specialized education to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those with this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO.
For patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:
- Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
- Harmonize the width of the dental arches
- Improve eruption patterns
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded upper teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve aesthetics and self-esteem
- Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
- Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- Improve some speech problems
- Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
An orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, but there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at the most favorable time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense.
An early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment.
South Texas Orthodontics is located at 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Ste. 20260, San Antonio, Texas 78256. For more information, call 210-493-6067, or visit www.southtexasorthodontics.com.
