Orthodontics for Children

Orthodontics for your child will be one of the most important contributions you make to their long term health, self-esteem, and future success in everything they do. Studies show that an attractive smile is what people look for first when meeting you. Crooked teeth send a negative message! You and your child deserve to make a great first impression that lasts!

Most children will need only a single step of full braces upon eruption of all adult teeth (average age 12). The average treatment time for your child’s full braces at Papandreas Orthodontics is 16 months.

A small percentage of children need a preliminary stage of treatment know as Early Orthodontic Intervention during the ages of 8, 9, and 10 to facilitate a better bite when all adult teeth erupt later. But how do you as a parent know? By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that Dr. Papandreas can identify current problems, anticipate future developmental issues and alleviate your concerns if all seems normal. Virtually no children at age 7 require orthodontic treatment, but it is the best time to begin simple evaluations.

Only and orthodontic specialist is capable of identifying current problems and relating them to a forecast of future development. Do not wait for a referral from your dentist to have your child evaluated…call Papandreas Orthodontics today for your child’s complimentary consultation.

Children who are not dentally ready for braces are placed on a complimentary 6-month observation plan so Dr. Papandreas monitor for the best time to begin. Properly timing treatment means a shorter duration with less cost!

Some signs or habits that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination are:

• early or late loss of baby teeth,
• difficulty in chewing or biting,
• mouth breathing,
• thumb sucking,
• finger sucking,
• crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth,
• jaws that shift or make sounds,
• biting the cheek or roof of the mouth,
• teeth that meet abnormally or not at all, and
• jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.

For those patients who have clear indications for Early Orthodontic Intervention, early treatment presents an opportunity to:

• guide the growth of the jaw,
• regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
• guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
• lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
• correct harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
• reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
• improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
• potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics,
• reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), and
• preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.