First Orthodontic Checkup

The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) recommends that all children have an orthodontic exam at age 7. There are some specific things to look for that indicate a need for early treatment. This early treatment is called Phase 1 or Interceptive treatment.

Goals of First Phase Treatment (Interceptive)

• To develop both the upper and lower jaws sufficiently to accommodate all of the permanent teeth
• To improve the relationship of the upper and lower jaws to each other.

Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow. An upper or lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough, is too wide, too narrow, or crooked can be recognized at an early age. If children over four years of age have these jaw discrepancies, they can be candidates for early orthodontic/orthopedic evaluation and treatment.

If there is evidence of these types of growth problems, children can benefit from early treatment. Early interceptive treatment can often prevent:

• The later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding
• Surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws

Interceptive treatment can also decrease the time necessary for the second phase of treatment. Leaving a malocclusion untreated until all of the permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy too severe to allow achievement of ideal result without surgical intervention.

Dr. Baker is very careful when evaluating young children to determine the optimum time to start treatment. Recent research has shown that early intervention is not always necessary and some treatment can wait until the child is older and has all the permanent teeth. The decision on when to begin treatment is made with many factors taken into consideration, including the effect of improving the child's appearance at an earlier age, financial considerations, as well as total time spent in treatment.

The following early warning signs may indicate that your child should have an orthodontic examination

• Early or late loss of teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Finger, thumb or other oral habits
• Crowing, misplaced or blocked out teeth
• Jaws that make sounds or shift
• Speech difficulty
• Biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or do not meet at all
• Facial imbalance
• Jaws that protrude or retrude
• Grinding or clenching of teeth

Benefits of Early Diagnosis

Orthodontists can improve smiles at any age, but there usually is an optimum time for treatment to begin. An early exam allows Dr. Baker to determine how and when your child's particular problem should be treated providing the greatest benefit. With some patients, early treatment achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Types of Orthodontic Problems

The technical term for teeth and jaws that do not fit and work together properly is "malocclusion," commonly called a "bad bite." Some malocclusions are inherited, some are acquired.

Inherited problems include crowding or spacing of the teeth caused by a difference in the size of the teeth and jaws or differing facial patterns of the parents.

Acquired malocclusions can be caused by finger or thumb sucking, tongue position, airway obstruction, dental disease, or premature loss of primary teeth or retention of primary teeth.

Whether inherited or acquired, many of these problems affect not only alignment of the teeth by also facial appearance. It also is important to note that orthodontic problems can be resent behind perfectly acceptable smiles. As an orthodontist, Dr. Baker is especially qualified to diagnose existing or potential conditions that require treatment.

The Importance of Treatment

Every parent wants his or her child to have a beautiful smiles. Every child should have a healthy smile with properly functioning teeth. Our goal is to achieve both!

Although no one has ever died from crooked teeth, untreated malocclusions may contribute to conditions that cause tooth decay, gum disease, bone loss, loss of teeth, mouth breathing and jaw joint problems to name a few! In addition, uncorrected problems can adversely affect a child's speech, general health and self-esteem.

A child's self-confidence almost always increases when his or her smile is improved. Successful treatment can lead to greater success in all areas of the child's life. The value of a beautiful, healthy smile should not be underestimated!