Early Orthodontics
Gresham, OR
When most people think about orthodontic treatment, the first thing that comes to mind is the metal braces that young teens wear to correct crooked teeth. While braces are a common orthodontic treatment, they are not all that orthodontics consist of. Many orthodontic issues present themselves early on, and they are easier to treat while your child is still young. It is recommended that your child have their very first orthodontic evaluation by the time they are seven years old. By this point, the jaw is developed enough to predict future development of the adult teeth. At Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry, we can identify orthodontic issues and provide your child with the early orthodontic treatment that they need to prevent serious issues from occurring later on.
Issues that Can Benefit from Early Orthodontic Treatment
An early orthodontic evaluation is crucial for diagnosing some different orthodontic issues. Identifying these issues allows us to provide your child with the treatments they need to prevent more serious complications as their mouth continues to develop. Issues that can benefit from early orthodontic treatment include such things as:
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An open bite, when the top and bottom teeth at the front of the mouth do not make contact with one another.
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A crossbite, when one or more of the top teeth on one side of the mouth fall inside the lower teeth when your child bites down.
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Overcrowded teeth.
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The teeth have too much space between them.
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Teeth erupting out of sequence.
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Premature loss of baby teeth.
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Your child has teeth that have stopped erupting. This can lead to displacement of permanent teeth. |
3 Stages of Orthodontic Treatment
There are actually three different stages of orthodontic treatment.
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The first stage occurs between the ages of 2 and 6. The main goal of the first stage is to ensure that there is enough space in the mouth for the teeth to erupt properly. This may involve the use of oral appliances to hold spaces for adult teeth, prevent teeth from shifting out of proper alignment, or help the jaw to develop properly. We can also provide you with tips on how to help your child break oral habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use.
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The second stage occurs between 6 and 12 years of age. The goal of this stage is to properly align the jaws, as well as begin the process for straightening misaligned teeth. We may use fixed or removable oral appliances during this stage.
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The third stage occurs around the age of 13 and older. This is the stage that most people are familiar with. The goal of this stage is to straighten the teeth, which improves the oral health of your child as well as the appearance of their smile. It is during this stage that braces are frequently used, followed by a retainer once the braces are removed. |
What Benefits Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Offer?
Early orthodontics offers several benefits.
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Predicting the development of adult teeth.
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Correcting oral habits early to prevent alignment, and other, issues later.
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Helping to guide the growth of the jaw for proper tooth alignment.
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Reducing the risk of your child developing cavities and gum disease.
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Preventing potential speech problems.
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Improving the appearance of the smile. With an improved smile, your child can be more confident.
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Reducing the need for more involved orthodontic treatments later in life. It is also possible for early orthodontics to prevent the need for later orthodontic treatment altogether. |
With early orthodontics, we can help your child to prevent serious issues later, and help them to develop a healthy, beautiful smile. Call Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry to schedule a consultation for your child today at (503) 663-8141.
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