What Is an Early Orthodontic Evaluation?
Your child’s first visit to an Edmonton orthodontist is like getting an early report card for their dental health. It’s about finding problems early and to properly assess a child’s teeth and jaw development.
During this check-up, the orthodontist is looking for clues that there might be trouble on the horizon. They’re looking for signs of misaligned teeth, bite issues, or jaw irregularities.
Usually around your child’s seventh birthday, when the first adult molars have come in, and the child’s teeth are starting to shift, kids should either visit the orthodontist or speak to their dentist about going to one. An orthodontist may take X-rays or impressions of the child’s teeth to see their development.
Sometimes, quick action now means a more straightforward fix later. In some cases, early treatment may be recommended to correct issues before they become more difficult to fix later. In other cases, the orthodontist will monitor the child’s growth and development to see when treatment might be needed in the future.
Why Age 7 Is the Magic Number
When your child turns seven, it can be the right time to think about their first visit to an orthodontist. Why? Around this age, a child’s first adult molars begin peeking out for the first time. These new arrivals cause other teeth to adjust their positions slightly, allowing the orthodontist to spot how well everything lines up (or doesn’t!).
Getting your child checked out early can help find issues such as crowded or crooked teeth, or problems with how top and bottom rows meet when they bite down. Catching these problems sooner rather than later is key as they’re simpler to manage before the bite and teeth develop further as your child gets older.
The great thing about these checkups at seven years old is that we can make use of our body’s natural growth patterns. This often makes sorting any potential issues easier and less complicated in many cases! And even if some challenges are spotted, we could look into more straightforward ways of handling them earlier on.
Remember: Not all kids will require immediate treatment after their checkup but having it done helps specialists understand what might need attention down the line or whether just regular watchfulness will suffice as your child keeps growing older and their dental landscape continues evolving.
Common Issues That Can Be Spotted Early
Common issues that can be spotted early include:
- Crowding: When there isn’t sufficient room for mature teeth to grow correctly.
- Overbite or Underbite: When the top or bottom teeth poke out more than their counterpart.
- Open Bite: When the front teeth don’t meet properly, leaving a gap when you close your mouth.
- Misaligned Teeth: Teeth not growing straight, changing how you look and chew.
- Jaw Problems: If your jaw clicks, hurts, or feels uncomfortable, you might have a problem with how it’s lined up.
Finding these problems at the earliest can stop them from ballooning into larger troubles. It’ll also assist with simpler, yet more effective treatments.
Benefits of Catching Problems Early
Catching orthodontic problems early can lead to several important benefits. One major advantage is early treatment can actually lead to more straightforward and less invasive procedures. It can be easier to find problems that get worse as the jaw and teeth grow and expand. Edmonton Orthodontists can fix problems in a child’s developing teeth and jaw. They use tools like spacers or expanders instead of braces or complicated treatment. Doing this early stops serious issues.
For example, it avoids trouble with chewing and speaking. It also makes sure treatment happens at the right time. This helps the child’s teeth to align well as they grow. Simply put, early treatment leads to better future prognosis for oral health issues. It can also make children feel more sure of themselves. This leads to a lasting success of a healthier smile.
What to Expect During Your Child’s First Visit
Time to see an Edmonton Orthodontist? When you take your child in, one of the first things they’ll do is look over your child’s dental and medical past to get a full picture of their health.
Next, they will carefully check your child’s teeth to see if there are problems like crooked teeth or issues with how their teeth meet. They might also take some X-rays to look at the teeth and jaw under the skin. If needed, they might make molds of your child’s teeth to better understand their teeth’s placement.
After looking at everything, the orthodontist will talk about any problems and tell you if your child should start treatment soon or if it’s okay to just keep an eye on things for now. If your child needs treatment, your Edmonton orthodontist will go over the options and tell you what comes next. You’ll also get to ask any questions you have about how to best take care of your child’s teeth.
Contact Embrace Orthodontics Today
If you’re looking at getting an early orthodontic evaluation for your child or children, contact Embrace Orthodontics today. Our tooth team customizes care using the newest technology, so that means you get best results for your kid’s oral health. Whether it is your child’s first visitor you’re just looking at treatment choices, Embrace Orthodontics provides a friendly and professional setting. You can reach us at (780) 432-0367 or you can fill out new patient forms on our Contact Page. Take the first step in setting your child up for a healthy smile.