At Smile Appeal Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing our youngest patients with treatment options that reduce or prevent the need for extensive orthodontic treatment and/or oral surgery in the future.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends your child see an orthodontist as early as age 7 to evaluate their developing orofacial structure and determine if orthodontic treatment is needed. If early orthodontic treatment is recommended, we will create a customized treatment plan with your child’s development in mind. Most of the time, common orthodontic issues such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites can be corrected around the age of 8 or 9.
Does my child need early orthodontic treatment?
We get this question all the time from concerned parents. Because every child is unique, we can only answer this question with confidence after a comprehensive consultation. These appointments are free of charge and will give us the best idea if orthodontic treatment, if any, is needed. However, some signs that indicate that your child may require orthodontic treatment include
- Losing baby teeth too early or late (in general, children lose their first tooth around age 5 and have all their permanent teeth around age 13)
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth-breathing
- Thumb-sucking after age 5
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth
- Malocclusion (crossbite, overbite, underbite)
- Crowded front teeth around age 7 or 8
If you have any concerns about your child’s dental development, including for reasons not listed above, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Early Orthodontic Treatment at Smile Appeal Orthodontics
We want to create a healthy, straight, and beautiful smile for all of our patients. We encourage you to call our office for a complimentary consultation if you would like to discuss any orthodontic needs your child may have. We have two state-of-the-art offices in North Oklahoma City and South Oklahoma City for your convenience. We look forward to meeting you.
