What Is the Right Age to Correct Teeth Alignment?
Your child's baby teeth will soon give way to adult teeth as the elementary years arrive. At Dr. Dann Orthodontics, our talented staff wants to educate everyone about when tooth alignment is necessary. With tips from our Orlando orthodontist, learn the proper age to correct teeth alignment today.
Starting With Lucky Number 7
The right age to correct teeth alignment begins at age 7, states the American Association of Orthodontists. Typically, children have a combination of baby and adult teeth by this age. Before braces are needed, orthodontic treatment often includes evaluations and proactive planning. Undoubtedly, the main reason why early treatment is recommended is jaw malleability. Because the child is growing steadily, the jaw and teeth can be manipulated and corrected before severe misalignment sets in. In contrast, adult jaws are fully developed and require a different approach from our Invisalign Orlando team. It is always advisable to begin dental care as early as possible.
Creating Space
Upon evaluation, your child's jaw may seem too small to accommodate the incoming adult teeth. Indeed, there's a solution for this scenario with expanders. Our Invisalign Orlando orthodontist might install expanders on the roof of your child's mouth. With a careful turn of the expander's screw, this mechanical device slowly widens your child's palate. The expanders amplify the palate's growth spurt because the entire body is developing around age 7. In time, the palate will be large enough for most adult teeth.
Exploring Extractions and Impactions
Correcting alignment involves both extractions and impaction solutions. For example, Dr. Dann may need to pull a few baby teeth to make room for the adult teeth. Spacers installed in these empty areas might be necessary for adult teeth to properly move in, too. If there's an impacted adult tooth, our team can guide it into place for an aligned smile that lasts a lifetime.
Scheduling Follow-Up Visits
At our Invisalign Orlando office, it's important to show up to each appointment. Depending on the tooth misalignment, your treatment can be a mixture of device installations, in-house adjustments, or simple evaluations. Because each patient develops at a unique rate, regular appointments are always different for each individual. In time, your child's teeth will enter the next phase of orthodontia for an aligned smile.
For any questions about early treatment, call Dr. Dann Orthodontics today!
Perfecting Your Smile
After working with our Orlando braces team, your child's adult teeth can erupt healthily. Then, our team evaluates how to perfect your smile with several device options, such as:
- Traditional braces
- Invisalign trays
- Retainers
Ideally, most patients will need one or several devices to fully align those smiles. With early treatment, however, you might have a reduced time wearing these devices. Each patient is unique, so working alongside our Orlando team is crucial to success.
From expanding the jaw to using Invisalign trays, orthodontic care varies with a patient's age and condition. Overall, starting early with our Orlando orthodontist can streamline your treatment. What are you waiting for? Contact Dr. Dann Orthodontics today for an appointment!