By scheduling an orthodontic growth check for your child by age 7, you’re taking an important step towards catching potential issues before they become worse over time.
Easy Growth Check
At our practice, the first appointment is a straightforward clinical exam/ growth check designed to assess whether your child might benefit from early orthodontic treatment, known as Phase 1, or if it’s better to wait until more permanent teeth have erupted. This early evaluation is crucial because it allows us to identify and address if there are any severe orthodontic issues that can worsen.
Building Lasting Relationships
We value the trust and relationships we build with our patients and their families. Even if early treatment isn’t immediately necessary, we remain committed to monitoring your child’s dental development closely. This ongoing surveillance ensures that we are ready to implement full braces at the optimal time, tailoring our approach to each child’s unique needs.
Why Consider Early Treatment?
Early, or Phase 1, orthodontic treatment is important when certain conditions threaten to cause more severe issues later on. Addressing these early can significantly reduce the need for future premolar extractions and lessen the complexity of a subsequent Phase 2 treatment. Here are some conditions that might need early intervention:
- Anterior Crossbite: If left untreated, an anterior crossbite can lead to uneven tooth wear and more severe dental problems.
- Persistent Thumb or Finger Sucking: Such habits can significantly alter the alignment of the teeth and jaw if they continue beyond the preschool years.
- Significant Crowding and Narrow Dental Arches: Early intervention can help in expanding the dental arches, thereby providing more space for permanent teeth to erupt correctly.
- Shift in Bite or Bilateral Crossbites: Addressing these issues early can prevent more serious alignment problems that might require extensive orthodontic treatment later.
Early orthodontic evaluations are not just about braces; they’re about setting the foundation for a lifetime of smiles and health. By catching potential issues early on, we can plan more effectively, reduce the need for invasive procedures, and ensure a smoother, more effective treatment phase 2 when the time comes.
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We can’t wait to meet you in beautiful Escondido for your child’s complimentary growth exam : )
