It may be best to start early to correct your child’s smile and bite. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be evaluated by a formally-trained orthodontist by the age of 7. At this age, a child’s teeth and bite have developed enough for an orthodontist to determine if orthodontic treatment is, or may be, needed in the future.

When is Early/Interceptive Treatment needed?

Although your child’s teeth may appear straight, we can evaluate if signs of a bite problem are developing. Some areas for concern are as follows:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Thumb-sucking habit
• Tongue-thrusting habit
• Crowded (not enough space) teeth
• Protruding teeth
• Difficulty for lips to close together
• Jaws that are too far back or forward
• Difficulty in chewing and biting
• Biting the cheek or roof of mouth

Why do Early/Interceptive Treatment?

Interceptive treatment can minimize the need for a longer and more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future by providing the following results:

• Guiding and improving jaw growth
• Thumb-sucking habit
• Creating more space for teeth to erupt
• Guiding permanent teeth in a more favorable position
• Preserving the space for unerupted teeth
• Eliminating harmful oral habits such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking
• Reducing trauma or injury to protruding front teeth
• Improving appearance and self-esteem