Perfecting
Little Smiles
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids see an orthodontist by age seven. They still might have those cute baby teeth, but the earlier they’re evaluated, the earlier we can catch red flags and prevent them from becoming major problems when they’re teens or adults. By this time, a lot of the kiddos will have their first permanent molars and incisors and crossbites, crowding, tooth eruption, jaw problems, and other issues can be identified by using different photos and x-rays than your dentist uses.
We’ll Keep an Eye Out
Most kids won’t need braces right off the bat and Dr. Kwong will just observe their growth. He’ll make sure their dental and facial development are on track and let you know when the time is right for orthodontic treatment.
Seven Reasons to See Us at Seven
- Identify extra or missing teeth
- Correction of harmful habits
- Tooth eruption guidance
- Correct jaw growth imbalances and problems
- Create room for crowded teeth
- Improve self esteem
- Prevent damage and trauma to the teeth and gums
The Benefits of Early Treatment
If issues are found early on, sometimes Phase I treatment will be needed. Beginning treatment early, in some cases, allows Dr. Kwong to guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth. We can then regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth and lessen the chances of needing surgery later on. At this stage, we can also intervene and help to correct thumb sucking and eliminate abnormal swallowing and speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.