WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION?
American Association of Orthodontists® recommends that all children should have an orthodontic check-up by the age of 7. At this age, jaw growth and the positions of erupting teeth can be evaluated. While comprehensive orthodontic treatment usually begins during adolescence, some problems need to be corrected at an earlier age.
THE PROCESS
At your initial consultation, our doctors will do a thorough examination of your child and evaluate his or her jaw growth and dental eruption. There are certain orthodontic problems we look for at this age that, if not corrected early, will lead to bigger problems down the road. In these situations, we recommend early treatment before all the permanent teeth have erupted. However, most of the time, we just plan to monitor development on a complimentary basis through our 7&Up Club and wait for ideal timing—which usually corresponds to when all of the adult teeth are present.
WHAT IS THE 7&UP CLUB?
If your child is not ready for orthodontic treatment then we welcome them to the 7&Up Club! During this time our doctors will monitor your child’s growth. As an exclusive member of our 7&Up Club, your child will receive complimentary maintenance visits throughout their development. We will continue to take updated pictures, x-ray images, and new measurements. We work with you to determine the perfect time to begin orthodontic treatment. Be sure to spin the prize wheel when we see you at your visit!
CHILDREN ORTHODONTIC OPTIONS
There are certain situations that we recommend early treatment for children between the ages of 7 to 10. The purpose of early intervention is to address an orthodontic issue when it is easiest and most practical to fix. Waiting to fix the problem later can often lead to a compromised result. The most common problems we recommend early treatment on are:
Severe Overjet
which predisposes a child to traumatic injury of upper incisors
Posterior and Anterior Crossbites
which causes the lower jaw to shift into an unnatural and often asymmetrical position
Thumb Sucking Habit
which interferes with normal jaw development
Deficient Space for the Erupting Adult Teeth
which will result in increased need for permanent tooth extractions
EARLY INTERVENTION TREATMENT & PROCEDURES
Early intervention treatment often involves the use of an appliance followed by braces or Invisalign®. While a child is in early intervention we usually see them in office every 4 to 10 weeks depending on our goals. Upon completion of early intervention, a Theroux retainer is provided to hold the results achieved and to minimize relapse until the child is ready for full treatment.
FAQS
Here are some common questions we get asked about braces.
