Early Treatment
Whether it’s traditional braces, Invisalign, or another type of treatment, many of us get some form of orthodontic work in our lifetime. While most people get this treatment in their teenage years, others receive it earlier. This is referred to as early orthodontic treatment.
Here at Richards & Associates Orthodontics, we’re happy to provide reliable early orthodontic treatment in Fort Myers, FL, and the surrounding area. We also have an office conveniently located in Cape Coral!
What is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early treatment refers to orthodontic work received when a patient still has some baby teeth. This process begins with an initial checkup, in which the orthodontist will thoroughly examine the mouth and jaw. While treatment may not be necessary at this phase, the specialist can gather key information about your child’s dental health and may suggest certain procedures in the future.
What an Orthodontist May Treat
According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), your child should have their first orthodontic checkup once an issue is first detected. However, even if nothing is noticed, it’s important to get an exam no later than the age of 7.
After the initial checkup, an orthodontist may recommend treating the following problems, even with baby teeth still present:
- Crossbites—when the jaw is moved to one side
- Underbites—when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth
- Teeth that are too spaced out
- Excessively crowded teeth
- Missing teeth
- Extra teeth
- Pacifier sucking that negatively impacts dental health
While orthodontists usually wait until all permanent teeth come in before providing treatment, sometimes these issues require more immediate care.
Benefits of Early Treatment
One key benefit of early treatment involves catching dental concerns before they become more serious. Dental problems are best treated when they’re detected early. Secondly, early treatment can also save you money in the long run. If you avoid these early checkups, your child could develop an oral health complication that’s expensive to treat. Seeing these specialists early on helps your child learn healthy oral health habits.
Early Orthodontic Treatment in Cape Coral, FL
Richards & Associates Orthodontics is proud to have a skilled team full of early orthodontic treatment experts. We take the time to provide thorough, detailed examinations to set your child up for life-long dental health success.
To make an appointment or to learn more about our early treatment services, contact Richards & Associates Orthodontics today!
Sources
aaoinfo.org
