From baby teeth to adult teeth, braces and orthodontic treatment can have a big impact on the health of your smile! At what age should you start the process of seeking orthodontic help? It’s an important question for many parents of young children as well as adolescents who may be considering braces. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question – it really depends on the individual case! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at when is the best time for a patient to receive orthodontic treatment, including benefits and drawbacks associated with different ages. By understanding these facts, you’ll be better informed and able to make decisions related to your or your child’s future dental care.
The earliest orthodontic treatment can be done between ages 2 to 6 years old and is the preventive and interceptive stage. It focuses on guiding the growth of your child’s jaws, preventing any further misalignment, or correcting existing minor issues. The goal is to make sure that when it’s time for a permanent treatment plan, there won’t be too many drastic changes necessary. Treatment at this phase can include expanding the upper jaw, narrowing the lower jaw, removing baby teeth early to allow other teeth more room to come in correctly, and using braces to correct minor problems. It’s important to start treatment at this stage, as it can reduce the amount of time and complexity that permanent orthodontic treatment will need later.
The mixed dentition of orthodontist treatment is the permanent phase. This stage typically covers between 6 to 12 years old when all, or most, of your child’s adult teeth have come in. At this point, any existing misalignment will be corrected with braces and other types of corrective appliances if necessary. Treatment options include braces to reposition misaligned teeth, expansion appliances to widen the upper jaw, retainers to prevent relapse after active treatment, and surgery for more complicated cases.
Finally, adolescent dentition is the maintenance phase of orthodontic treatment. This stage is incredibly important, as it helps to ensure that your child’s teeth will stay correctly aligned for a lifetime. Treatment options include retainers and other corrective appliances to maintain position, regular checkups and adjustments with an orthodontist, and proper hygiene and diet habits to prevent relapse. With routine follow-up visits, you can be certain that minor issues won’t become bigger problems down the line.
Ultimately, when considering the best time and most appropriate solution for your own or your family’s orthodontic needs, it’s important to have a consultation with an experienced and qualified orthodontist. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your specific requirements. With the right advice, you or your child can have a healthy, beautiful smile – no matter what age! If you would like to learn more about our services and decide what’s right for you or your child, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Kidz and Family Dental Center! We are here to support you in ensuring that you have a confident and healthy smile. Call us today or request an online appointment!