As a parent, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile. At Henneberry Orthodontics, our goal is to treat your children as if they were our own, by providing them with the best possible orthodontic care.
To have a smile that’s long lasting and more importantly healthy, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned – in other words, a healthy bite. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. By then, your child’s teeth have developed enough to where subtle problems can be spotted with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. This check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine and braces for kids aren’t necessary. Or, Dr. Henneberry may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child’s growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Henneberry might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, Dr. Henneberry will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14, and some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early. If it appears that treatment will be needed, your orthodontist can advise you as to the ideal time to begin. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to
It’s not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
Malocclusions (“bad bites”), like those illustrated below, may benefit from early diagnosis and referral to an orthodontic specialist for a full evaluation. If your child has one or more of these dental issues, please contact us by setting up a free consultation. We would love to discuss your child’s orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan that is customized to your child’s needs and desires.
