What is Orthodontics? |
Early Treatment |
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Ortho Dictionary
My Child's First Orthodontic Screening
Benefits of Early Treatment
The goal of early treatment is to intercept the developing problem, eliminate the cause, guide the growth of facial and jaw bones and provide adequate space for incoming permanent teeth. A patient will likely require a second course of treatment after all permanent teeth have come in to move these teeth into their best positions.
What Should be Treated Early?
The kinds of problems orthodontists may recommend treating early (while some baby teeth remain) include:
- Underbites - When the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth
- Crossbites - When upper teeth are positioned inside the lower teeth and may be accompanied by the jaw shifting to one side
- Very crowded teeth
- Excessively spaced teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Thumb-, finger-, or pacifier-sucking habits that affect the teeth or jaw growth
For more information you can visit the CAO or AAO websites.