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First Orthodontic Screening
Part of our pediatric exam is to evaluate dental, oral, and facial development and give you feedback on progress to ensure growth is on track. Identifying problems early such as narrow palate, crowding/crooked teeth, uneven bite, speech problems, and blocked airway and resolving them early with interceptive orthodontics will help keep your child’s smile on track.
Interceptive orthodontic treatment piggybacks a child’s natural growth and re-directs the teeth and jaws to avoid needing future extraction of permanent teeth, improve the smile and bite, enhance stability, and can even avoid developmental problems that would require surgery in the future.
Who This is For
The Ages We Serve
Early Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening by age 7. Developmental issues can be caught early and, if needed, addressed to make sure that growth of the jaws and teeth are on track. At Front Row we work closely with the orthodontist to help you know when the timing is right to see the orthodontist.
Positively helping the growth of teeth and jaws
Often interceptive orthodontic treatment is advised during the elementary school years. Underbites, deep bites, open bites, crowding, and narrow jaws are typically skeletal in nature and are growth related. With the face and jaws growing rapidly during this stage, orthodontic intervention can have the greatest positive impact for your child.
Helping teenagers build confidence
Let yourself smile knowing that your teen will be referred to an orthodontist for professional care. We work with the orthodontist to determine the right time for orthodontic treatment and to help you choose if braces or clear aligners is the right fit for your teen.
Timing Is Everything
Your pediatric dental exam includes checking the alignment of the teeth and bite, growth and development of the jaws and face, and discussing what to expect as far as crowding, spacing, and the need for orthodontic treatment. Early orthodontic treatment can include expanders, early braces, orthopedic correctors, space maintainers, or simply retainers to help guide and encourage growth.
Knowing When to Start Early Orthodontics
Early intervention is needed when there is severe crowding, a large overbite or underbite, developing facial asymmetry, missing teeth, narrow jaws, or other dental or facial concerns. Early intervention with an orthodontist can help avoid extraction of permanent teeth, assist jaw development, and avoid surgical procedures when your child is older. Catching discrepancies early is preventative treatment and is part of every Best-In-Class exam of your child.
Age 7 is Recommended To Check for Early Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
If indicated, interceptive orthodontic treatment is advised between the ages of 7 and 10, when there is still a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth and the face and jaws are growing aggressively. Changes to the growth pattern can be most effective during this critical time of facial growth to influence the development and avoid more complex and invasive treatment.
If your child would benefit from early interceptive orthodontic treatment, your pediatric dentist will make a referral to an orthodontic specialist.
