To have a smile that’s long-lasting and healthy, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned – in other words, a healthy bite. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven.
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, Dr. Gen will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
If Dr. Gen thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of nine and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
Early treatment does not necessarily benefit all children. Some problems can be corrected more easily once all your child’s permanent teeth have grown in.
Other skeletal problems should not be corrected until your child has developed more or has finished growing. Dr. Gen will come up with a treatment plan based on your child’s needs.
Sometimes early treatment is enough to correct your child’s orthodontic problems, and there will be no need for braces in the future. However, early treatment is not a guarantee that your child won’t need future treatment.
Typically, early treatment means that your child will receive shorter treatment in the future and will have better results in the end.
