Orthodontics for kids

Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

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According to the American Association of Orthodontists, your child’s first orthodontic visit should take place no later that age seven. By then your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to determine whether an orthodontic problem exists or is developing.

While orthodontic treatment begins between the ages 9 and 14, some children’s orthodontic problems can benefit from early treatment. Some children, but not all, need a first stage of limited orthodontic treatment at the age of 7-8 years. This is called Phase I Orthodontic Treatment and aims in treating functional problems that are better dealt with before the adolescent growth spurt takes place. At this stage, kids have not yet changed all their baby teeth. Therapy aims in creating ideal conditions for the eruption of permanent teeth.

On the first visit Dr Theodoridis, will evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment at the present stage or later. Some children, but not all, need a first stage of limited orthodontic treatment at the age of seven or eight years. If there is need for treatment a diagnostic workup before Orthodontic Phase I treatment will take place; if not, the findings of your child’s exam will be registered in the computer in order to be handy for comparison at a later visit.

Phase I Orthodontic treatment

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As a parent, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth. It is not always easy to say if your child has an orthodontic problem but here are some clues:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Breathing through mouth
  • Thumb-sucking
  • An unbalanced facial appearance
  • Grinding and/or clenching of the teeth

Phase I orthodontic treatment aims in:

  • Preventing future orthodontic problems (preventive therapy)
  • Interrupting developing orthodontic problems (interceptive therapy
  • Guiding jaw growth (growth modification)
  • Orthodontic treatment and jaw growth can help each other. Your orthodontist will decide when the right time to start treatment is. Some problems that are better dealt with on a growing child, require a more difficult intervention if left for later.

Orthodontic treatment and jaw growth can help each other. Your orthodontist will decide when the right time to start treatment is. Some problems that are better dealt with on a growing child, require a more difficult intervention if left for later.

In Phase I orthodontic treatment we use removable or fixed appliances, but rarely if so braces. Duration is usually between twelve to sixteen months. Active treatment is followed by a “resting period” of observation until all permanent teeth erupt.

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