Early Orthodontic Treatment Has Big Benefits
What age do you initially think of when orthodontic treatment comes to mind? Most people consider doing orthodontics either when all of the baby teeth are out or in the teenage years. But, the American Association of Orthodontists and Canadian Association of Orthodontists actually recommends an evaluation, by the age of 7. Why that age?
At about seven years old, a child’s adult molars should have come through. In addition, the permanent front teeth have usually starting to come in as well. This allows an orthodontist to have a strong idea about what the jaw structure looks like as well as any potential crowding concerns. In addition, there are certain types of bites that can only be corrected between the ages of 7 to 9.
Most people tend to think that orthodontic treatment offers nothing more than a straight smile. While seeing an orthodontist can indeed improve the look of your smile at just about any age, there are so many additional benefits to starting treatment early on. Let’s take a closer look at some of those benefits, and the risks that can come along with foregoing the needed treatment.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
While comprehensive orthodontics focuses on straightening teeth and getting the bite completely corrected, the goals of early treatment tend to be different and more preventative in nature. Early treatment generally focuses on:
- Aligning jaws
- Preventing irreversible wear on permanent teeth
- Creating room for adult teeth that would otherwise not be able to grow in
- Reducing the need for future extractions or surgeries
- Preventing asymmetric growth of the jaws
- Reducing the risk of trauma or fracture of the front teeth
- Speech issues due to certain types of bites
These are just a few examples of reasons to consider early treatment. However, one other major benefit of early treatment is that it reduces (and sometimes prevents) the need for further treatment down the road when the patient is a teenager.
While the majority of our patients do not need orthodontic treatment at the age of 7, there are many benefits of bringing your child in early to have an assessment to ensure a successful orthodontic outcome down the road. If your child is 7 or older, it’s the perfect time to come in for a complimentary consultation to ensure a happy, healthy and beautiful smile!!