Early Orthodontic Treatment

Treating Tiny Smiles In Richmond, VA

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand the unique oral health needs of children as well as the subtle signs that may suggest it’s time for orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends you bring your child in for an orthodontic checkup by age 7 or at the first sign of an orthodontic issue. By this age, your child has a mix of permanent and baby teeth, and our team is able to assess the growth and development of their bite and jaw. Our expert, compassionate orthodontists are here to help determine if your child needs early orthodontic treatment, and if so, can help guide their teeth into the proper alignment to ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.

Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Reasons For Early Orthodontic Treatment

Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics values the trust of our patients and their families, which is why you can be confident in knowing that we will identify any potential problems early, so your child has the best chance for a strong, bright smile that lasts a lifetime. Although some cases are best treated after your child’s permanent teeth have erupted, early orthodontic treatment may be the best option if your doctor feels the issue may become more serious if left untreated. Here are some reasons your Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontic team may recommend early orthodontic treatment:

  • Crossbite: The upper teeth sit behind the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed.

  • Underbite: When your lower front teeth protrude out from your top teeth, this is an underbite.

  • Overbite: An overbite is the result of your top teeth overlapping your bottom teeth more than they should.

  • Crowded Teeth: This dental condition occurs when there is not enough room for all your teeth to sit together side by side.

  • Excessive Teeth Spacing: It may seem like just a cosmetic issue, but gaps in your teeth can lead to a number of problems such as poor oral hygiene, bad bite, poor misalignment and digestive issues to name a few.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

The goal of early orthodontic treatment is to gently guide the development of our young patients’ facial and jaw bones while also giving enough room for incoming adult teeth. Here are some important benefits of early orthodontic treatment:

early orthodontic treatment

  • Improved Oral Health: When your child has straighter teeth, it is easier for them to brush and floss properly–removing any bacteria or plaque that prevents cavities.

  • Better Bite: Having a properly aligned bite allows your child to chew and speak properly.

  • Less Invasive Treatment Later: By finding any problems early on, it allows our team to get ahead of those issues and create an effective treatment plan that saves you time and money down the road.

  • Shorter Treatment: At this age, children’s bones are more palpable and are easier to move leading to shorter treatment times

  • Boost in Confidence: Depending on the case, it may lead to better facial symmetry and an enhanced feeling of self-esteem.

Early Orthodontic Treatment Options

During your child’s orthodontic consultation with us, we will evaluate their teeth, jaw and bite to determine if they have an orthodontic problem and need to start early orthodontic treatment. From there, we will go over our treatment options and work with you, the parent, to determine which will be the best course of action, so your child can continue to grow a healthy smile.

  • Palatal Expander: The goal of a palatal expander is to expand your jaw by widening the upper arch. This oral device sits in the roof of your mouth and may be permanent or removable. It is recommended for cases of crossbite, overcrowded teeth or other dental conditions.

  • Interceptive Braces: In some situations, an early orthodontic treatment plan involving braces may correct the issues efficiently and take just 9-18 months depending on your child’s case. Following, we will prescribe a retainer and recommend they come in for checkups every couple of months until all of their permanent teeth have come in to monitor their development.

  • Extractions: Our orthodontists may recommend tooth extraction if there is more space needed for incoming permanent teeth, if a tooth didn’t come in properly (impacted wisdom teeth), tooth decay or due to trauma/injury.

Helping Richmond Smile

Comprehensive Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

At Richmond Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to deliver radiant, healthy smiles to families across Richmond, VA. Our kind and caring team is committed to providing professional, high quality service in an environment that is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to make your dental and orthodontic journey with us an amazing experience. Get started today!