When Should I Bring My Child to the Orthodontist?

When we think about braces and orthodontic treatment, we often imagine pre-teens, but there are good reasons for your child to have an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.

Dr. Tracy Li Cheung can spot subtle problems with jaw position and emerging teeth while many baby teeth are still present.

While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a skeletal problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is normal. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

Skeletal problems often benefit from early treatment that may otherwise be much more difficult to treat at a later age. This is due to the fact that a child’s bones have greater plasticity than that of a teen or an adult, and therefore full correction may be achieved with conservative orthodontic treatment. Early correction may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:

• guide jaw growth
• lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• correct harmful oral habits
• improve appearance
• guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• improve the way lips meet

Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile.

Call us today at 914-923-5089 to schedule your consultation at Orthodontic Harmony with Dr. Tracy Li Cheung, Board Certified Orthodontist.