At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
Grow with SOCO!
Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth.
If early treatment is indicated, Dr. Ashley can guide the growth of the jaw and 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 permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment, after all the permanent teeth erupt.
Our young patients love designing their own smile with WildSmiles Braces, which also help promote better brushing. WildSmiles brackets are designed so that normal plaque accumulation will rest on the pad instead of on the tooth’s surface. This helps protect the enamel from plaque and tartar buildup and encourages better brushing by making sure the WildSmiles bracket shapes are always visible.
Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not necessarily benefit all children. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted. Some skeletal orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or completed. The doctors develop a plan for treatment based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed on our orthodontic supervisory program.
What is Grow with SOCO?
Grow with SOCO is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth. Sometimes, poor erupted patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth and reduce the treatment time required for braces. We notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit. We normally see the patients on recall every 6-8 months to observe their progress as they grow. There is no fee for this program and it helps the orthodontist determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible result for your child.
In addition to a beautiful new smile, what are some other benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Braces can improve function of the bite and teeth, improve ability to clean the teeth, prevent wear on the teeth, and increase the longevity of natural teeth over a lifetime.
If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as an adolescent?
There are many cases that are best treated when most of the permanent teeth have erupted. Dr. Ashley understands which types of orthodontic problems should be treated quite early (age 7-8) vs. those that may be comfortably treated at the more traditional age of 12 or so. Dr. Ashley looks at what is best for each individual’s health and at the same time, what is most cost-effective for the parent. If, in consultation with the child and parents, the decision is made to postpone treatment, we continue to monitor your child’s growth and development at periodic no-charge observation visits.
