Kids' orthodontist in Fishers, Indiana
While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting an orthodontist for kids around age seven.
At this point Dr. Benedict, our Fishers kids’ orthodontist will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.
Early orthodontic treatment for children
What is the difference between early orthodontic treatment and regular orthodontic treatment, and why might my child need early treatment? How will early treatment benefit my child in the long run? These are just a few of the questions surrounding the topic of early orthodontic treatment for children.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
For parents, it’s not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment.
Signs your child may need to see an orthodontist:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting food
Mouth breathing
Finger or thumb sucking after age 5
Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Minor speech problems / speech impediments
Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes their mouth
Protruding teeth (top and bottom teeth extend away from each other)
Two-Phase orthodontic treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your child’s life. Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your child’s smile. Early treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results.
What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early treatment benefit my child?
Orthodontic problems such as teeth crowding, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits.
Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 13, and by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Orthodontic procedures for adults often take longer and can involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can help prevent the need for orthodontics as an adult, leaving little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.
If your child is age seven or above and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed to visit a pediatric orthodontist by your family dentist, schedule a free consultation with Benedict Orthodontics today. Our team will provide your child with a complete initial exam, and discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child’s smile. Early treatment will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future!