When is the right time to bring your child to see the orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends kids see an orthodontist at around 7 years of age. Seeing an orthodontist early on does not mean your child will be sporting that metal smile just yet though. Early assessments with the orthodontist can assist in the correct facial development of your child and help them grow into their future smile.
The most important reason for your child to visit Dalanhese Orthodontics early is to have their airways assessed. Proper airway development is key for sleep, brain development, school performance, and overall health. Dr. D. can help ensure that your child’s airways are not impeded by poor tongue position or narrow arches and help your child live a healthy life.
Free Annual Assessments
We all know that it is important to visit the dentist on a regular basis. But did you know, even before they have braces, it is equally as important to have your child visit the orthodontist regularly? Children’s teeth change drastically from year to year and an annual visit to the orthodontist can help ensure that they get the care they need when they need it most. That is why Dr. D. offers free annual assessments during this important time period.
Issues that typically indicate a need for early treatment are cross-bites, underbites, significant overbites, or significant crowding. If you have any concerns or just want to see how your child is developing, give us a call. It’s a complimentary meeting with no strings attached.
KIDS TREATMENT OPTIONS
Observation
Most of the time the best treatment for these young kiddos is no treatment! We’ll follow your child over time and make sure that everything in and around their mouth is developing as it should.
Limited Braces
Sometimes your child will need an early phase of orthodontics. Even before they lose all of their baby teeth—bracing their permanent teeth will gently move them into their correct position while closing any gaps or crowding in the front teeth. This sets the stage for their smile to develop as it should.
Palatal Expanders
These are appliances used to expand the upper jaw. Palatal expanders are used for kids with narrow jaws, cross-bites—where the bottom teeth are outside the top teeth—or a severe lack of space for permanent teeth. Although they sound scary, they are easy to use and the movements are incredibly slow so there is rarely any discomfort. The actual expansion phase only takes about one month, but the expander is left in for 8-12 months to allow everything to stabilize and also prevents the jaw from becoming narrow again. These expanders are especially helpful to insure proper airway and tongue position.
Functional + Habit Appliances
Functional appliances can also be used to redirect your child’s jaw if it is not growing as it should. Proper jaw growth is extremely important and it is critical to catch early. If missed, it is very difficult to fix jaw discrepancies in teens and adult patients.
We use habit appliances to break any oral habits a child may be struggling with. For example, we have some pretty good incentives to help kids stop sucking their thumbs, but if those tricks aren’t working, we have reminder appliances to help them jump that last hurdle.
Contact
965 E 700th S. Unit 101, Saint George, Utah 84790
Right Next To Harmons On River Rd.
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