Orthodontics is not only about straight teeth, but it is also concerned with healthy jaw development, proper bite construction, and the best dental formation. Many parents considering modern orthodontic options often ask, Will Invisalign work? for their child before scheduling an appointment. Among the main suggestions of orthodontic specialists is that a child must take their first orthodontic examination when he or she is seven years old.
What Makes Age 7 the Right Time?
When children are seven years old they are likely to have a combination of baby (primary) teeth and emerging permanent teeth- typically the first molars and some incisors. This combination will provide orthodontists with a more complete picture of how the mouth is developing. At this age, an orthodontic specialist could identify minor issues that are not readily traced by the parents or general dentists. Misaligned teeth, crossbites, underbites, overbites and jaw growth discrepancies are some of the issues that become easier to identify through professional examination. The orthodontists can also take panoramic dental X-rays to see the issues that lie below the skin like impacted teeth, extra or missing teeth, and also the teeth that are growing in the wrong direction.
Early Orthodontic Assessment: What It Can Tell.
An early orthodontic appointment can be helpful even in cases, when there are no clear indications of issues. Three outcomes may come out of this initial visit milestone:
It does not require any treatment at that point but the orthodontist will keep a check on the growth and development.
The follow-up treatment can be prescribed, and the check-ins must be regularly performed to understand when it is necessary.
A problem that can be tackled early is raised, and it is treated before it grows to be a bigger problem. Early assessments assist orthodontists in determining the best treatment plan of action depending on the growth patterns of the child. (turn0search0)
Advantages of Early Intervention.
Early orthodontic or interceptive orthodontic treatment may capitalize on the natural growth in a child. At seven years old, the jaw bones are still immature and hence are more sensitive to orthodontic appliance guiding forces. An example of this would be a palatal expander to make a narrow upper jaw broader when the child is still developing so that there is no crowding and so that the child will not need to have their teeth extracted in the future. Early intervention is also able to correct bite problems, minimise the chances of traumatising protruding teeth and provide more space so that the emerging permanent teeth will emerge in superior positions. This is because such preventive measures can minimise the complexity or length of treatment required after all permanent teeth have matured.
What Does It Entail during the First Visit?
The initial check-up of orthodontics is a proper examination. The orthodontist will look at the bite of the child, how the teeth are placed, the development of both jaws and also the permanent teeth which are coming in and may do imaging like x-rays to see what is not visible to the eyes. In case there is no immediate need to be treated, then the orthodontist will make visits to monitor the changes in the child as he or she grows. This will assist in making sure that any emerging issues are identified early enough and dealt with at the most appropriate time.
