Should Orthodontic Treatment Start In Childhood?

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We offer treatment for patients in Fort Worth, TX, of all ages, including children! We even have a Kids’ Space with games, toys, and more to help our youngest patients feel welcome. But how early should kids undergo treatment for crooked or crowded teeth? In today’s blog, we’re talking about phased and interceptive orthodontics for children.

Treatment at the First Sign of Misalignment

Children should have an orthodontic exam at around age seven. At this age, baby teeth are falling out and the permanent teeth are arriving. Our team can assess the onset of misalignment and find out if treatment is necessary. However, if there are possible indicators of misalignment prior to age seven, you can schedule a visit. The earlier we identify the start of poor alignment, the sooner can begin treatment. Causes of poor alignment in kids could be due to the size of the mouth, the position of the teeth, thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, or issues with the arrival and loss of the baby teeth. Part of your child’s consultation will be pinpointing the exact cause of his or her crooked and crowded teeth.

Phased Orthodontics

Phased orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, include retainers, teeth spacers, braces, and aligners. These items will be worn daily to help guide the growth of the jaw and oral structures, reducing the severity of misalignment as your child grows. Doing so helps reduce the amount of time they will need braces or aligners in the teen and adult years, helping kids achieve a more even and healthy smile faster. We will answer any questions you have, and help your child understand the proper use of their appliances or retainers, and how to protect their oral health during treatment.

Treatment in the Teen Years

In the teen years, we may use braces to complete smile correction. To limit the appearance of the braces, we may suggest tooth-colored brackets, which reduce the visibility of these metal braces. We could also continue treatment with a series of clear and comfortable aligners. The Invisalign® system helps both teens and adults enjoy more even, beautiful, and healthy smiles, often in as little as a year. If you would like to schedule a consultation for your little one, or for yourself, then please contact our team today. Let’s make 2020 the year you embrace better smile health!

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN’S ORTHODONTICS?

We can help you enjoy a more even and esthetically-pleasing smile with an array of clear and custom-made orthodontic aligners. To schedule your consultation and learn more about invisible braces, then please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Springtown, Rome, and all surrounding communities.