Kids teasing your child about her teeth can not only hurt her feelings, but can affect her for the rest of her life. Some teasing can just be kids being kids, but if you notice that there actually are problems with your child’s growing teeth and jaw, it’s time to see an orthodontist.
There is a window of opportunity during a child’s growth when the correction of the jaw size and position is possible with simple orthodontic appliances. If this window is missed, treatment later will need to focus on camouflaging the problem rather than correcting it, which can include the removal of teeth, or, in severe cases, jaw surgery.
At what age should your child see an orthodontist?
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, by the time your child is 7 years old, her adult molars are coming in behind the baby molars, and the incisors are slowly making their way into her smile.
At this time, an orthodontist can recognize abnormal growth in the jaw or problems in the arrangement of the teeth, such as a lack of space.
This is also the age when, if necessary, the orthodontist can use simple appliances to help create the space needed to accommodate those larger, permanent teeth.
How do you know if early treatment is best?
There are two main philosophies of treatment in orthodontics — “one phase” versus “two phase” treatments.
Many orthodontists believe in using only braces to treat the problem after all permanent teeth are present. If there is not enough space in the mouth, the orthodontist will remove two to four teeth to ensure proper tooth alignment. Because all treatment is completed in one phase, this is considered the more cost effective solution.
Others argue that if jaw problems — such as a narrow upper jaw or a short lower jaw — are caught early on, early treatment can ensure no teeth will have to be removed, permanent teeth will come in well aligned, and the jaw can develop properly.
Correcting with early treatment can take two to three years, and not all kids who are treated early require braces later on. In many cases, if the second phase is needed, it will take less time to fix the problem, saving family money and sparing your child a long period in braces during the adolescent years.
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If you think your child can benefit from early treatment, do some research and learn more about the orthodontists in your area. Call or visit their offices and ask about their treatment philosophies.
It can also be helpful to speak with other parents about their child’s experience with early treatment. Most parents will share information or can refer you to an orthodontist that will help create a smile for your little one that will last a lifetime.
House of Orthodontia [122 Atlantic Ave. (718) 858-4414]. For more information, visit www.houseoforthodontia.com.
For more information on this and other orthodontic-related topics, contact the American Association of Orthodontists by visiting www.braces.org
Mani Alikhani, DDS, MS, PhD is a Board-Certified Orthodontist. He serves as the Director of Research at NYU College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and is an orthodontist in private practice.
