We not only offer care for teens and adults interested in straighter smiles, but we also provide care for kids as young as age seven! Treatment in the early years could help guide the growth of the smile and limit the severity of malocclusion. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about how we approach children’s orthodontics.
When Kids Should See Us
Did you know that we can see kids as young as age seven? In fact, this is the perfect time for an initial orthodontic exam. Your children will have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, so we can assess the risk of misalignment and plan treatment with precision and accuracy. Dental misalignment could develop due to baby teeth not falling out on schedule, or issues with the eruptions of your permanent teeth. Thumb sucking could also be a factor, as could issues with the growth and development of the jaw and oral structures. When we examine the smile with digital imaging technologies and CT scanning, we will identify the factors behind the misalignment!
Treatment Options
We take a phased approach, which means using specific treatments at different stages of your little one’s life. In the first phase, we will likely use teeth spacers and retainers, which help guide the growth of the smile and prevent misalignment from growing more severe. The appliances and orthodontics we use will be custom-made based on the digital images we gather of your child’s smile. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, every patient receives personalized care and custom-fitted orthodontics.
Benefits for Their Smiles
By correcting misalignment, you help make brushing and flossing easier for your child, which lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Kids also have a more balanced bite, which means a reduced risk of issues like TMJ disorder, bruxism (teeth grinding), and sleep apnea in their teen and adult years. Your children will also feel more confident in their smile!
Continuing Care in the Teen Years
As your children enter their teen years, we will start the final phase of treatment. For more severe cases, we could use braces, employing tooth-colored brackets to make them less visible. We also have Invisalign®, which employs a series of clear and comfortable aligners to correct misalignment. If you have any questions about how we treat misalignment in little smiles, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDREN’S TREATMENT?
Our team is ready to help your children start their journey to an even and healthy smile. To learn more about how we help kids of all ages, 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.
