Children’s Orthodontics
Does Your Child Need to See a Pediatric Orthodontist for Early Orthodontic Treatment? Children’s Orthodontics
Dental issues such as crooked and overcrowded teeth can interfere with your child’s ability to properly speak and eat, and ultimately affect their self-confidence and overall health. While some orthodontic issues are best treated after all permanent teeth have come in, others can worsen before then. That’s why early orthodontic intervention—or seeing a pediatric orthodontist while some baby teeth are still present—is important.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child’s first check-up with a pediatric orthodontist be scheduled as soon an orthodontic issue is recognized, but no later than age seven. If you are searching for an experienced and trustworthy pediatric orthodontist, turn to Roxbury Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry in Succasunna, New Jersey. You and your child will feel at ease with our outstanding team, which includes several experienced orthodontists as well as a board-certified pediatric dentist. Together, we can help your child achieve and maintain a healthy, functional bite—and a beautiful smile.
What Is Early Orthodontic Intervention? Children’s Orthodontics
An early orthodontic evaluation does not always lead to early orthodontic treatment. In certain cases, however, a trained pediatric orthodontist can detect a developing structural issue, address the cause, guide the growth of the child’s facial and jaw bones, and ensure there is sufficient space for incoming permanent teeth.
Some orthodontic issues that can be effectively treated while a child still has some baby teeth include:
- Difficulty biting and/or chewing
- A speech impediment
- Mouth breathing
- An underbite (the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw)
- A crossbite (the teeth don’t line up properly when the mouth is closed)
- Overcrowded teeth
- Excessively spaced teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Thumb-, finger-, or pacifier-sucking beyond age three
After thoroughly examining your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, we can determine if they could benefit from preventive orthodontic treatment, which may be less involved and less expensive than it would be if it were delayed until all the adult teeth have erupted. For instance, with early orthodontic intervention, such as a space maintainer, it may be possible to:
- Reduce or eliminate the need for braces
- Eliminate the need for adult tooth extractions
- Reduce or eliminate the need for jaw surgery
- Improve overall facial development
Even if your child does not need preventive orthodontic treatment, an early evaluation will provide an opportunity for a pediatric orthodontist to check the development of their teeth and facial bones and, if necessary, determine the optimal time for orthodontic treatment.
To schedule your child’s complimentary consultation at our state-of-the-art dental office in Succasunna, NJ, call Roxbury Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 973.584.7555 or click here.
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