Catch it today, smile brighter tomorrow

Did you know?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child’s first orthodontic exam by age 7.

Early detection can help to prevent bigger issues later on, avoid more complex, costly treatment down the road, and set the foundation for a healthier smile!

Any of these look familiar? we’re here to help!

  • anterior crossbite

  • posterior crossbite

  • crowding

  • open bite

  • protrusion

  • ectopic eruption

  • underbite

  • spacing

  • oral habits

  • mouth breathing

  • deep bite

  • Others:

    - Early / late loss of baby teeth

    - Difficulty chewing or biting

    - Jaws that shift or make sounds

    - Speech difficulties

    - Biting cheeks / roof of the mouth

    - Grinding / clenching

Images adapted from the American Association of Orthodontists (https://aaoinfo.org/)

Screening exam at age 7: a quick Look in the mouth and a developmental x-ray

  • Everything looks great! No treatment needed at this time. We’ll monitor your child’s growth and development, and wait for the ideal time to begin full treatment.

  • We’ve noticed a potential concern. We’ll continue to monitor your child’s dental development and decide if early intervention is necessary.

  • A concern has been identified that would benefit from early treatment. Correcting it now may be easier and could prevent it from becoming a more serious issue in the future.

If my child has early treatment, will they need full treatment later?

  • Good question! The goal of early (Phase I) treatment is to address one or two major developmental issues

  • This can help guide jaw and facial growth, or prevent teeth from becoming impacted

  • Often, early treatment simplifies treatment later on, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for braces or aligners if we are aiming for a picture-perfect smile

  • For those who receive early treatment, we apply credit toward a second phase of treatment in the future - a “thank you” for making the Phase II treatment easier!

  • In summary, there are crucial conditions that should be caught and treated at a young age - early intervention can often save time, effort, and money later