Address Issues Early for a Healthier Smile
Early orthodontic treatment, or interceptive orthodontics, helps prevent future dental issues by addressing them during the crucial development period between ages seven and 14. During this time, the teeth and jaw are still growing and can be more easily adjusted. In some cases, treatment can begin as early as age seven, depending on the specific conditions of the patient's mouth.
Is Your Child a Candidate for Early Orthodontic Treatment?
To assess if your child qualifies for early orthodontic treatment, we recommend scheduling an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Early detection of issues can significantly improve your child’s future oral health.
Your child must have at least one of the following conditions in order to be considered for early orthodontic treatment:
- Crowded Teeth: Occurs when a child’s jaw is too small, causing severe dental crowding where some or all teeth overlap.
- Gapped Teeth: Characterized by excessively spaced teeth, with gaps in the upper front teeth being the most common issue.
- Underbite: When the lower front teeth extend past the upper teeth due to the lower jaw being positioned forward.
- Jaw Irregularities: Includes unusual jaw sizes or narrow dental arches.
- Crossbites: When the jaw shifts to one side, causing misalignment.
- Thumb or Pacifier Sucking: Long-term thumb or pacifier sucking can affect the development of teeth and jaw.
- Mouth Breathing: Breathing solely through the mouth can lead to crooked teeth, facial deformities, or impaired growth.
- Extra or Missing Teeth: Orthodontic treatment will need to be tailored for extra teeth, which may require extraction, or missing teeth, which may need replacement options.