When to Start

The initial visit provides the orthodontist with the opportunity to evaluate the patient's health and to provide the opportunity to inquire about anything relative to treatment. in determining the optimum time for treatment, the orthodontist will give consideration to such factors as the greatest effectiveness in moving misaligned teeth, the minimum time required and the least expense for the patient. The orthodontist knows what to look for based on their training and experience, and the patient should not rely on their own judgment or that of friends.

Ways Of Choosing An Orthodontist:

A Personal Recommendation from your family dentist and friends
An orthodontist located conveniently to your home, school or office.
An Orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. Each member is required to have two years of full time additional university training exclusively in the field of orthodontics after receiving their dental degree.
Compare two or three orthodontists, their offices and staff, the office atmosphere. These factors effect your comfort level and cost.

When To Visit Your Orthodontist:

A child's first orthodontic examination should be at age seven, according to a recommendation by the American Association of Orthodontists. This age is when the permanent front teeth are coming in and is usually when the first signs of problems appear. If the front teeth don't have room, they can crowd the rest of the teeth. Making room for these teeth may eliminate the need to extract permanent teeth later.

Also, teeth that protrude or stick out will be subject to injury if left untreated very long, not to mention the ridicule from the child's peers that comes with having "buck" teeth.

Usually, crowded or protruding front teeth are a sign of an underlying growth problem in the jaws. This condition can sometimes be best treated in two phases to get a better result. Habits such as finger or thumb sucking can also be eliminated at this time to prevent the damage from getting worse.

By the time a child becomes a young teenager, 90 percent of the facial growth has been completed. Thus, the influence that the orthodontist may have on the overall quality of the correction may be reduced if treatment is delayed until age 12.

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