Dr. Greg Costopoulos encourages you to bring your child in for an early orthodontic examination at approximately age 7, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. While most children won’t need any treatment until they are older, severe crowding or bite problems may be present at this age which, left unattended, can be difficult to correct at a later age or even cause irreparable damage to the permanent teeth. Even one crooked tooth can throw off the bite, hinder proper cleaning and cause functional problems as children grow older, including gum disease, cavities and speech disorders. Also, the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth increases dramatically if the condition isn’t corrected.
Dr. Costopoulos will conduct a comprehensive exam to check for these and other problems:
- Severe overbite
- Severe crowding
- Excessive spacing/gaps
- Excessive wear and chipping of front teeth
- Finger/thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting habits
- Crossbite of the front or back teeth
- Eruption problems and space management
The Benefits of Correcting Crowding or Bite Problems Early
Early detection and treatment can prevent children from needing costly and time-consuming dental care in the future. Dr. Costopoulos always looks at conservative treatment options first. If needed, he uses the latest interceptive methods to correct problems before they progress. These include orthopedic expansion devices, space maintainers and habit appliances. Early intervention can reduce treatment time for your child’s braces later on and provide a stable, healthy bite for a lifetime. In addition, it can often prevent the need for extraction of permanent teeth.