Help Your Child Smile for a Lifetime

Opus1 Orthodontic Studio encourages early orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven, to help detect orthodontic issues before they become issues.

Benefits of Early Evaluation

Your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned to have a smile that's long-lasting and healthy. Early intervention can shorten and simplify future orthodontic treatment. In other words, the earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix.

Scottsdale orthodontist Dr. Monika Barakat will evaluate your child’s smile and determine if your child needs orthodontic assistance to guide proper facial growth, tooth eruption and the prevention of more serious problems.

The results are often better than if we wait, and tend to require less work. Your child’s mouth may respond to treatment quicker than if they begin treatment when they’re older, which means less time in braces for them and less expense for you.

While there is no exact age that all children should begin orthodontic treatment, Dr. Barakat and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child should visit the orthodontist around age seven.

We may not have to do anything at this age, other than monitor the child’s mouth. However, if we continue to keep an eye on your child’s oral development, we can start treatment as soon as they’re ready!

You may wonder why the AAO emphasizes age seven. At that age, the first adult molars are coming in and helping establish the back bite.

Once the back bite is established, we can evaluate your child’s bite, both front-to-back and side-to-side.

This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and braces aren't necessary. In some cases, Dr. Barakat may identify a developing problem, but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development.

Then, when indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child at Opus1 Orthodontic Studio. In other cases, Dr. Barakat might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

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What Is Early Treatment?

Early treatment at Opus1 Orthodontic Studio may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter, simpler, and less expensive.

In some cases, Dr. Barakat will be able to achieve results that would be much more difficult to achieve if the face and jaws finish growing.

Early intervention can be beneficial. We will watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow and develop, so if we see something that needs to be done, we will do it. We will also know exactly when to start treatment if needed.

 

When Is the Best Time for Treatment?

While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment at Opus1 Orthodontic Studio most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.

If Dr. Barakat thinks your child will need treatment, she’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment, and this gives her enough time to:

  • Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
  • Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
  • Create more space for crowded teeth
  • Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
  • Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

 

Signs the Bite's Not Right

For Scottsdale parents, it's not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a deeper problem with their bite.

Here are a few clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention at Opus1 Orthodontic Studio:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • A hard time chewing or biting food
  • Mouth breathing
  • Finger or thumb sucking
  • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
  • Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
  • Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
  • Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
  • Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

 

Learn More at Your Free Consultation

Please contact our Scottsdale office at (480) 865-2848 to schedule a free appointment for an orthodontic evaluation.

Early treatment at Opus1 Orthodontic Studio will help your child enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles in the future.