The Right Time to See an Orthodontist

Here's what you should know before starting orthodontic treatment:

The initial visit provides the orthodontist with the opportunity to evaluate the patient's dental and  overall health, and to provide the opportunity for the patient to inquire about anything relative to treatment.

In determining the optimum time for treatment, the orthodontist will give consideration to such factors as the greatest effectiveness in moving misaligned teeth, the minimum time required and the least expense for the patient.

The orthodontist knows what to look for based on his or her extensive training and professional experience, and the patient should not rely on their own judgment or that of friends.

• A personal recommendation from your family dentist and friends.
• An orthodontist located conveniently to your home, school or office.
• An orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.
• Each member is required to have two years of full time additional university training exclusively in the field of orthodontics after receiving their dental degree.
• Compare two or three orthodontists, their offices, staff and the office atmosphere. These factors affect your comfort level and cost.

A child's first orthodontic dental examination should be at age seven, according to a recommendation by the American Association of Orthodontists. This age is when the permanent front teeth are coming in and is usually when the first signs of problems appear.

If the front teeth don't have room, they can crowd the rest of the teeth. Making room for these teeth may eliminate the need for permanent tooth extraction later.

Also, teeth that protrude or stick out will be subject to injury if left untreated very long, not to mention the ridicule from the child's peers that comes with having buck teeth.

Usually, crowded or protruding front teeth are a sign of an underlying growth problem in the jaw. This condition can sometimes be best treated in two phases to get a better result. Habits such as finger or thumb sucking can also be eliminated to prevent the damage from getting worse.

By the time a child becomes a young teenager, 90 percent of the facial growth has been completed. Thus, the influence that the orthodontist may have on the overall quality of the correction may be reduced if treatment is delayed until age 12.

If you're interested in getting braces, call us at 1-866-970-0441. We'll put you in touch with a great dentist today!