Three Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment for Your Child

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Orthodontic treatment is often considered a rite of passage for teenagers, but did you know that early orthodontic treatment for your child, starting as early as age 7, can actually help your child avoid more difficult and expensive treatment as a teen? Here at State Street Smiles, your Hackensack, NJ dentists are trained to provide “interceptive”, “Phase 1” early orthodontic treatment that comes with the following three benefits:

1. Early Orthodontic Treatment Can Prevent Bigger Problems Later

Phase 1 orthodontic treatment can alleviate jaw and bite problems early, while your child still has some baby teeth and adult teeth are growing in. Preparing a younger child’s jaw and positioning can ensure that the permanent teeth have more room to erupt when it’s time. Our dentists in Hackensack can catch and monitor problems early on. While later orthodontia may still be necessary, if earlier intervention is possible, it can often prevent more difficult treatments down the road.

2. Pediatric Orthodontics Can Alleviate Several Bite Problems

Children with the following jaw and bite problems can benefit from early orthodontics:

  • Children who had thumb-sucking or other habits that affected the alignment of their teeth.
  • Children with significant over- or underbites can benefit from early orthodontic bite-alignment treatment to help improve speech and chewing activity.
  • Children with severe tooth crowding can experience significant tooth misalignment and impacted teeth when their jaw space isn’t sufficient for all their permanent teeth to grow in. Phase 1 orthodontic treatment can alleviate some of these issues before they become serious.
  • Children with crossbites (a situation in which the upper and lower jaws are misaligned) can benefit from early orthodontia to help restore proper alignment, which can prevent excess wear, chewing, speech, and TMJ problems.

3. May Prevent the Need for Adult Tooth Extraction

Interceptive orthodontia occurs while your child’s jawbone is still growing, which makes adjusting the bite easier than after this growth period has finished. This can reduce the need for adult tooth extraction later on.

Ask the Dentists Hackensack Trusts about Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids

Schedule an appointment at State Street Smiles today to discuss your child’s individual needs and to ask any questions you have about Phase 1 orthodontia.