Every parent wants their child to be able to smile with confidence but for many that’s not the only reason to investigate orthodontics at an early age. While the average age for orthodontic treatment is around 12 years old, at Greater Houston Orthodontics we have a mission to focus on children 7 and up to follow up with the American Association of Orthodontists guidelines. Why, you ask?
An orthodontic consult at an early age can catch future issues and adjust for them before they become problems. Some of these issues include:
Airway Obstruction: Well developed airways allow normal breathing through the nose when the mouth is closed. While this may sound trivial, nasal breathing is important because it’s now known to be vital to good health. Airway obstruction has been linked to developmental delays, sleep disorders, behavioral disturbances, and later can lead to hypertension or other heart conditions. These sound scary but the treatment is easy with early diagnosis. We all can relate to our little ones that struggle with allergies!
Crossbites:
By age 7 most children’s permanent molars and incisors have come in. A trained eye can see early on if crowding or crossbites will be an issue as the rest of your child’s permanent teeth come in. Earlier treatment is more effective because your child’s jaw is less developed at this early age and can be guided along the right path rather than working to reverse issues at a later age.
Overcrowding:
Traditionally, orthodontists may say wait until age 11 or 12 to treat a crowding problem, but the problem isn’t going to get any better by waiting. Early treatment has been proven to correct narrow arch and create space for the teeth and tongue so it may function correctly when swallowing. Plus, early treatment can avoid the need for future tooth extraction or jaw surgery.
The benefits of early orthodontic treatment are clear:
Early treatment can regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct any habits that can cause bad bite later on, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment. Speaking of…
Two Phase Treatment:
- Phase 1 works with your young child to make space for their permanent teeth. Phase 2 begins once they’ve arrived. Often children who undergo Phase 1 treatment have a much shorter
- Phase 2. This makes life easier for both them and you as their schedules get busier and busier.
Not every 7 year old will need early treatment, but if they need early treatment and it is caught early on by a trained orthodontist, it could make a big difference in the outcomes of treatment later on by taking advantage of growth and also possibly by avoiding extractions. Knowing the importance of early orthodontics is only part of the battle. Then the question is who do you talk to? At Greater Houston Orthodontics we focus on your child’s individual needs and focus on early orthodontic treatment to avoid extractions and also to take advantage of growth!
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!
Keep in mind that these signs do not guarantee that your child needs treatment, but they may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation is a prudent next step.
Do some of these signs look familiar to you?
Dr. Amir Davoody and Dr. Rana Mehr and Dr. Niloufar Azamilead lead a friendly, dedicated team that works together to create a positive experience for young patients and their families that’s fun, light hearted, warm and inviting. The doctors and team use the most advanced treatments available today, including Invisalign®, Invisalign® Teen and Incognito™ Hidden Braces.
With two convenient locations in West University and Memorial, we are ready to help you start smiling. Please contact our West University or our Memorial office to schedule a complimentary consultation or click below:
