Treatment For Children
STARTING EARLY CAN PREVENT ISSUES LATER ON
While many orthodontic issues can be addressed when your child is older, there are a few cases where it is advantageous to fix these problems early. Phase I (or early) treatment can maximize long-term results and/or reduce the overall complexity of your child’s treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7. At Advantage Orthodontics, this complimentary initial exam will give you the opportunity to meet with Dr. Ford who will provide you with more information on whether your child can benefit from early orthodontic treatment. If your child is not ready for treatment, they can be monitored through our Growth and Guidance Program.
Some of the objectives that Phase I treatment can address include:
- Relief from teasing from peers.
- Management of certain habits such as thumb-sucking, or tongue-thrusting.
- Creating space for un-erupted permanent teeth.
- Maintaining space for permanent teeth after early loss of a primary (baby) tooth.
- Correcting dental interferences which can result in crossbites and facial asymmetries promoting (or controlling) jaw growth.
- Expanding the upper arch to gain space for erupting permanent teeth and broaden the smile.
- Reducing the risk of trauma to vulnerable protruding front teeth.
Growth Guidance
FOR WHEN EARLY TREATMENT ISN’T REQUIRED
If it is determined that early treatment is not necessary at this time, we offer a complimentary Growth Guidance Program which allows Dr. Ford to regularly examine and monitor the growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaws. There is no charge for these visits; we don’t want anything to stand in the way of you having the information you need to have treatment for your child at the best time for the best results. We still encourage parents to bring their child around age 7 for their initial exam, and want you to know that with our Growth and Guidance Program, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
