When should children see an Orthodontist? - Dentists Information

An early orthodontic check-up by a specialist orthodontist can often ease parental concerns about crooked teeth or facial development. It also serves to initiate the child into the world of orthodontics - especially since orthodontic treatment usually requires the support of a good relationship between the child, parent and the orthodontic team. Some conditions are best diagnosed and treated early for biological, social and practical reasons, whereas others can be deferred.

It is much better to catch most problems early as this would give more advantageous treatment opportunities. The final decisions to undergo treatment will be made by a consensus between the parent, general dentist and the orthodontist. It is a misconception to think of orthodontics in terms of pre-teenage and teenage years, because there are good reasons why all children should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner.

Why is an orthodontic check-up essential by age 7?

The dentist who makes timely referrals is rightly regarded as informed, caring and concerned for the total well-being of the patient.
The posterior occlusion is established when the first molars erupt. At that time, one can evaluate the antero-posterior and transverse relationships of the occlusion, as well as discover any functional shifts.
When the Incisors have begun to erupt problems can be detected such as crowding, supernumeraries, habits, deep bites, open bites and some facial asymmetries.
For some, a timely evaluation will lead to significant treatment benefits; for most, the immediate benefit is a parent’s peace of mind.

It is important to highlight the benefits of early treatment to parents and children, because they can gain any of the points listed below:

Lower risk of trauma to protruding upper incisors
Correct harmful oral habits
Improve some speech problems
Improve aesthetics and self esteem
Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
Harmonise width of dental arches to achieve a better bite
Improve eruption patterns so that the teeth can come through in better positions
Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth.