Why Getting Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation Before Summer is Helpful
Having an orthodontic evaluation does not necessarily mean that treatment will begin immediately; however, research has shown that because children’s bones are still growing, they are more malleable and can be molded more easily with orthodontic devices, such as spacers and palatal expanders, allowing orthodontic treatment to work more efficiently. The older we get, the harder our bones become, which can sometimes lengthen orthodontic treatment. Having your child’s orthodontic evaluation early is a preventive measure that allows your orthodontist to diagnose any problems that may need to be addressed sooner in order to reduce orthodontic treatment time later, as well as promote proper jaw growth.
Benefits of early orthodontic treatment include:
- Corrects bite problems, such as deep bite, cross bite, or open bite
- Guides jaw growth
- Creates room for erupting teeth
- Prevents crowding
- Improves facial symmetry
- Reduces possibility of necessary tooth extraction
- Can correct speech impediments
- Often reduces Phase 2 Orthodontic Treatment time, if it is necessary
Why Have an Orthodontic Evaluation?
At your first orthodontic visit, your orthodontist will evaluate your child’s bite and be able to determine if and when orthodontic treatment will best benefit your child. By age 7, your orthodontist can identify potential problems that may not be recognized by your dentist, who, while highly qualified in dentistry, does not have the orthodontic training that an orthodontic specialist has. Choosing a specially trained orthodontist, such as Dr. Greg Greenberg, for your child’s orthodontic evaluation will ensure that you get the benefit of such extensive orthodontic education and training.
Your orthodontist can also advise you on other issues that may affect your child’s occlusion (the way teeth come together), such as:
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Tongue thrusting
- Mouth breathing
Early Orthodontic Evaluation Allows Two-Phase Treatment
While in some cases, treatment may not be necessary right away, your orthodontist can determine the best time in your child’s dental development to begin any necessary treatment. Monitoring tooth eruption and jaw growth is an integral part of your child’s orthodontic plan. In many instances, orthodontists can utilize a two-phase orthodontic treatment plan in which the first part of the treatment is placed early enough to influence jaw development and help accommodate incoming teeth.
Phase I typically lessens the length of time and complexity involved in the Phase II orthodontic treatment. The ability to use two-phase orthodontic treatment is one of the greatest advantages of having an orthodontic evaluation at the recommended age of age 7.
At RxSmile, we offer a complimentary orthodontic evaluation, so you need not wait for your dentist to recommend an orthodontic consultation. The peace of mind that comes with knowing if, when, and how much orthodontic treatment your child may need is well worth the time.
If possible, try to schedule your consultation in time to take advantage of the summer break in the event that early orthodontic treatment is recommended. Giving your child the extra time to get used to an orthodontic appliance will also be less stressful for both you and your child, and because the orthodontic appointment during which the appliance is placed is typically a longer one, you won’t have the worry of missing school.
At RxSmile, our goal is to help every patient achieve a beautiful, healthy smile by providing comprehensive, highly personalized orthodontic care to each patient we see. If you would like to schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation for your child, please call 972 335 1300 Monday through Thursday, or submit an online appointment request and we will respond within one business day.