About Children

It is best for the orthodontist to see children by age 3 to determine if future orthodontic-orthopedic treatment will be needed and when is the best time for that patient to be treated.  Crossbites, crowding, excessive overbites and other problems can be evaluated and predicted at a very early age without the use of x-rays. When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for removal (extraction) of permanent teeth later on.  Early treatment also will reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early orthopedic treatment can simplify later treatment.