There are many reasons why parents should consider early orthodontic checkups with Dr. Karpac!
When most people think about orthodontic treatment, the common image is a teenager wearing braces; however, orthodontic care should actually start much sooner in most cases.
Early orthodontic checkups are incredibly important, and the American Association of Orthodontists has stated that pediatric evaluations should be done by or before age seven. There are many benefits associated with early orthodontic consultations, and expert orthodontists like Dr. Karpac are able to identify ongoing or potential dental issues in their infant stages during these appointments.
Early orthodontic checkups give us more flexibility to determine whether or not a child will require orthodontic treatment, as well as when it’ll likely be more necessary in the future. Catching and treating dental conditions early on can also help parents and children prevent more intensive procedures, including tooth extractions.
Below we’ll be detailing the overall value associated with early orthodontic checkups, as well as some of the common questions that we receive from parents on a regular basis!
Dental Health Examinations During Early Orthodontic Checkups
Orthodontists will look for a wide variety of dental issues during pediatric checkup appointments, including:
- Overlapping teeth
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Missing teeth
- Malformed teeth
- Extra teeth
- And much more
Recognizing any of the above dental health issues will go a long way to help Dr. Karpac determine your child’s best treatment course, and we’ll also help parents and kids prevent more dental issues from popping up in the future when it’s decided to wait on initiating treatment.
Is Seven Years Old Too Early for Orthodontic Treatment?
Absolutely not! Even if your seven-year-old child still has a mix of permanent and baby teeth, they’ll have enough adult teeth for Dr. Karpac to accurately predict how their remaining adult teeth will erupt. X-rays are an important part of early orthodontic checkups for this very reason, and we’ll be able to recognize when overcrowding or other malocclusions will get worse with time.
It’s understandable for parents to be somewhat hesitant about initiating their child’s orthodontic treatment at an early age, which is why it’s important to remember that evaluations don’t automatically equal the beginning of the treatment process. While there are some dental health issues that require immediate corrective measures, many others are simply identified and monitored until a later treatment start time.
When is the Best Time for Early Orthodontic Treatment?
There are some conditions and issues that might prompt the JK Orthodontics team to recommend immediate treatment for your young child, and Dr. Karpac will often suggest preventative or corrective measures when a child:
- Has chewing or speaking problems
- Experiences popping or clicking jaw sounds
- Grinds their teeth
- Is showing signs of abnormal bite development
- Frequently bites the roof of their mouth or insides of their cheeks
Thumb sucking also is another significant cause for concern when it comes to developing teeth. Although this is a common habit for children, thumb sucking after five years can lead to a child’s teeth protruding out much further than they’re supposed to.
What are the Typical Orthodontic Treatment Options for Young Children?
Orthodontic treatment doesn’t always equate to common treatment options like Line-M-Up™ or braces, and this is particularly the case when we’re treating younger patients. Two common preventative treatment options for children include rapid palatal expanders and space maintainers.
Rapid palatal expanders help children when their dental arch is a bit too narrow. These orthodontic devices will effectively create more space within a child’s mouth to relieve or prevent overcrowding, and this works by slowly but surely widening narrow jaw bones.
Space maintainers are great options when a child inadvertently loses their baby teeth too early. Space maintainers will prevent tooth shifting and allow for proper adult teeth eruptions, which can be incredibly useful for ensuring normal development and preventing future dental issues from occurring.
Let’s Take the First Step of Your Child’s Orthodontic Treatment Together Through an Early Orthodontic Checkup Appointment!
At JK Orthodontics, we fully understand the importance of pediatric orthodontics and starting your child’s treatment journey early. We also understand just how busy families are these days, which is why we also offer online smile assessments that make early orthodontic checkups easier and more convenient.
You can also fill out our new child patient form or give us a call at 614-766-0330 to schedule your child’s consultation appointment with Dr. Karpac today!