Orthododontic Treatments - Early Treatment
Orthodontics for Children
Orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, but there are benefits to early diagnosis. Early Treatment enables us to detect and evaluate problems and determine the appropriate time to treat them.
Although there is not a universal best age to begin orthodontic treatment, the Ontario Association of Orthodontics (OAO) recommends every child seek an orthodontic consult at an early age. Likewise, the child should seek an orthodontic consult no later than age 7. However, a visit at any age is advisable if the parent, family dentist or child’s physician has noted a particular problem.
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Avoiding fracture or loss of protruding teeth |
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Assuring that the jaws and teeth meet properly during chewing and swallowing |
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Eliminating adverse habits such as thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting and lip habits |
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Correcting early mal-alignment of teeth and jaws |
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Enhancing proper speech development |
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Evaluating breathing problems that may adversely affect normal growth and jaw shape |
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Correcting cross bite, tooth grinding, tooth interference and lower jaw displacement |
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Coordinating treatment decisions with the family dentist and allowing for proper eruption of permanent teeth |
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