When should your child be seen by an Orthodontist?

For many people, the term Orthodontist reminds them of braces during early teenage years. But it is important to have early screening by an Orthodontic Specialist; it may prove to be a critical visit for your younger child, ideally starting at the age of 7.

More than Straight Teeth

“An orthodontist can offer so much more than braces.”

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who can recognize and correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws (bad bites).  They receive an additional two to three years of full-time specialized education beyond their general dentistry degree, learning the art and science of creating harmonious jaw and tooth alignment. Their business is to focus solely on making beautiful smiles and functional bites. An Orthodontist will provide your child so much more than braces.

Prevent Larger Issues

Some treatment options are available only during childhood growth.

Early orthodontic screenings are essential risk management for a growing child.  If early treatment is not considered, an 8-year old child with an under-bite will grow into an adult with the same bite pattern, bringing with it challenges such as accelerated tooth wear, bite and TMJ discomfort, aesthetic concerns, and more. In appropriate patients, early intervention can quickly produce the desired outcome, whereas an adult would have to consider more complex and lengthy procedures to achieve full correction.  And this is just one example - early treatment can be used to prevent or correct under-bites, deep-bites, cross-bites, severe crowding, tooth impactions, protruding teeth and many other oral development problems. 

It is important that parents understand the value of an early orthodontic check-up. By age 7, the first adult teeth have typically come in, and an orthodontist can evaluate the relationships developing between the teeth, jaws, bite, tongue, lips, airway and oral function. Orthodontists can determine what (if anything) is awry, and then time the treatment so that problems can be addressed as simply as possible, often taking advantage of the child's own growth to optimize the achievable outcome.  

Treatment may help in avoiding accelerated tooth wear, bite discomfort, TMJ pain, and aesthetic concerns..

Early intervention helps to avoid more complex, lengthy procedures later.

Complimentary Growth Monitoring Program

Improved bite, comfort, aesthetics, and more.

An early visit to the orthodontist can ease a parent’s mind too.  This is why Simply Orthodontics, in Edmonton, has created our complimentary Growth Monitoring and Family Courtesy Program - for parent’s peace of mind.  Through this program your child's growth and development will be monitored at doctor-prescribed intervals appropriate for him/her, at no additional cost to you. Even better news is that all additional children in your family can enroll at any time at no cost.

The team at Simply Orthodontics is eager to meet you and your family. Visit our office in Edmonton, Alberta.