Best age for a Child to see Orthodontist | 2021 FAST FACTS

The best age for a child to see an orthodontist. Cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics are gaining popularity in the past few years. With many treatment options for adults, young adults, and kids to correct their teeth alignment, smile, and jaw shape, orthodontic treatments have become a new-age solution for many such problems. However, many parents often question the safety of orthodontics treatments for their kids. In this post, we’ll show you the quick facts on what the best age for a child see orthodontist. Let’s get cracking.

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WHEN – Your Child Needs an Orthodontist

Whether your kid needs braces for teeth alignment correction or treatment for underbite problem, he or she should see a licensed orthodontist only. Based on the safety guidelines from the American Association of Orthodontists, parents should consider consulting an orthodontic expert for their child only after he reaches seven. As many of the dental problems can be identified at this time, orthodontists can take appropriate steps to correct your child’s jaw or teeth alignment, under or overbite problems, and similar issues in an appropriate way.

• What is the Appropriate age your Child Needs an Orthodontist?

A number of orthodontic procedures require you to undergo some noninvasive and surgical procedures too. Based on the person’s years and tooth development, orthodontists suggest a suitable treatment plan. However, if your child is under the age of seven, he or she will not be eligible for a number of treatments as per the safety guidelines mentioned by the American Association of Orthodontists. In addition, all orthodontic problems cannot be detected easily before your child has at least a set of permanent teeth.

At this point, any issues such as teeth misalignment and crowding will also become apparent. Only after detecting the problem, your child’s orthodontist can suggest whether your child needs braces or any type of treatment. Starting the process early also has many benefits. In fact, your child’s expert will be able to determine the cause of the problems early and can plan to start the treatment soon. Therefore, the appropriate age to seek orthodontic treatment is only after your child is 7 years old. Orthodontic care is a necessary journey for many youngsters.

WHO –  Your child needs an Orthodontist?

As opposed to the dentists, an orthodontist is a specialty doctor who deals with various tooth based needs, including crowding, spacing, tooth loss, and problems due to jaw and tooth misalignment.

WHAT –  Your child needs an orthodontist?

• Crowding and Spacing:

This is the most common problem found in children. When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the problem of spacing and crowding arises. When a new tooth comes, it becomes misaligned due to the lack of space. Improper spacing also leads to cavity formation in the future. Orthodontists carefully check the area and use arches or bridges to correct the misaligning of teeth by crowding and spacing. Arches are often used to help improve the situation caused by crowding and spacing.

• Tooth loss and Eruption

In children, the baby tooth usually starts to fall out at a specific age. However, the falling pattern varies from person to person. By the age of seven, your child should have four permanent incisors and four permanent molars. Any deviations from this pattern of tooth falling can cause crowding and spacing problems. Sometimes, this problem can lead to premature tooth loss and eruption. Orthodontists can correct this problem by maintaining the space between permanent teeth or adult teeth with a bridge or arch. This will eventually prevent any further issues with teeth alignment and crowding.

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• Alignment

Alignment is a major problem in young adults. Due to crowding and spacing, your little one might have alignment issues in the future. As a result, he or she may develop crooked teeth and overlaying gum issues in the future. Correcting alignment problems at an early age is highly recommended. Later, misalignment may impact the self-esteem of your child. Orthodontists use braces and Invisalign to correct the crooked problem and misalignment of teeth. Although the alignment problem can also be corrected at a later age, you can always opt for early treatment by visiting an orthodontist.

• Underbites

This problem is very common among children. However, orthodontists advise waiting until the age of 16. Usually, orthodontists start treating this problem only after your child has all fully grown teeth. To normalize the anterior bite, orthodontists use special treatments to shift the bite in order to avoid excess gum damage and occlusion. If your child shows the underbite problem, then take him/her to the orthodontist to find more options for definitive correction at an early age.

• Posterior Crossbites

Usually, children with posterior crossbites problems face other teeth problems like crowding. Lateral jaw shifting is another problem that may arise due to crossbites. To reduce the effects of this problem, orthodontists eliminate any shifting that may be present due to a slender upper arch. Treating this problem early is highly recommended.

• Protrusive Front Teeth

Most of the children usually have four fully-grown incisors by the age of seven. If the front teeth stick out instead of staying within the jawline, then you may need professional help. This problem is the major cause of developing overbite in the course of time. Suggested is a safe and effective way to treat the protrusive front teeth problem easily.

• Deep bites and Anterior Open

In case the issue is a vertical alignment problem, it may lead to anterior open bites and deep bites. This problem can be easily detected. Deep bites may cause abnormal growth of teeth and crowding. Orthodontists will work with you and your little one to eliminate such a problem through several sessions after which normal teeth development ensues.

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.