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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first see an orthodontist at seven years of age. We agree that for some children this may seem too young. But, for children with crowding, finger or thumb habits, crossbites, protruding front teeth, "underbites," "overbites" or other alignment problems it can be very advantageous.
The benefits of timely orthodontic treatment for your child may include the following:
- Reduce or eliminate the need to extract permanent teeth
- Reduce or eliminate the need for jaw surgery
- Lower the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve the smile/self confidence
- Improve speech development
- Influence growth of the jaws in a positive manner
- Reduce appearance-consciousness during critical developmental years
- Improve the width of the dental arches
- Simplify and shorten treatment time for full braces
- Increase the stability of final treatment results
- Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Improve lip closure
- Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
- Reduce potential for damage to jaw joints
Becoming accustomed to an orthodontist, the office and the staff can also alleviate anxiety when it comes time to start orthodontic treatment. The patients and parents have a better idea of what to expect for treatment and the parents often have an idea of how payment schedules work and can look into insurance coverage if that is an option.
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