Early orthodontic evaluation and treatment for children in Mississauga can help with sensational smiles later in life
Orthodontics can be used to correct and improve smiles for
patients of any ages. There are, however, optimal times for beginning
treatment that can help patients achieve the best outcome. At Dentistry
on 10, we recommend that our younger patients receive an orthodontic
evaluation by the age of 7. Early orthodontic treatment is not always
necessary, even if there are issues, but for some patients, this early
intervention can make a big difference.
There are many benefits to early orthodontic treatment, also
known as interceptive treatment. One of the biggest is the ability to
guide the growth and development of the jaw and avoid potentially
serious problems later. For children who have disproportionate jaw
growth, early treatment around the age of 8 or 9 can help prevent the
possibility of extractions and oral surgery in later years.
Early orthodontic treatment can also benefit patients in the following ways:
- Make room for overcrowded teeth and erupting permanent teeth
- Improved facial symmetry and aesthetics
- Minimize the risk of protruding front teeth
- Reduce the amount of time for later orthodontic treatment such as braces
Not every child will need interceptive orthodontic
treatment. In many cases, it is best to wait for the emergence of all
permanent teeth before beginning orthodontic treatment. During the
child’s evaluation we will be able to consider individual problems and
assess optimal time for treatment to begin. In this evaluation we look
for the relationship between the teeth, the position of the jaw, and the
presence of indicators for specific bite issues.
Most children who undergo early orthodontic treatment will
still require further treatment. Since this interceptive treatment
occurs before all of the permanent teeth have emerged, additional
treatment (typically a full set of braces) will make sure all the
permanent teeth are in the correct position for optimal functionality
and aesthetics.
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