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What is the best time to begin orthodontics?
While Dr. Guymon can improve smiles at any age, there is usually a best age to begin treatment so we can achieve maximum improvement with a minimum amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child's first visit to an orthodontist should take place when an orthodontic problem is first detected. In all cases, the AAO recommends that every child visit an orthodontist by no later than age 7. Although interceptive orthodontic treatment is not always indicated, careful observation can establish the best timing for orthodontic care. The majority of orthodontic problems are best treated around the time the last baby teeth are lost, usually around age 12.
What are the benefits of early screening?
Early screening not only provides timely detection of orthodontic problems, it presents more opportunities to provide more effective orthodontic treatment. Timely intervention can gently guide growth and development and prevent more serious problems from occurring. For example, careful removal of selected primary (baby) teeth can temporarily borrow space for successful eruption of adult teeth. When interceptive treatment is not needed, Dr. Guymon can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment at the best time. Either way, a timely screening will give you peace of mind and that gives us all something to smile about.
Why is Age 7 an ideal time for screening?
- The back bite is established when the first adult molars erupt, usually before age 7. Dr. Guymon can evaluate front to back and side to side (transverse) relationships at this time.
- The presence of erupting incisors indicates possible crowding, overbite, openbite, gummy smiles and habit patterns. Timely screening gives Dr. Guymon more chances to create an awesome smile.
- A timely screening helps parents and patients get to know Dr. Guymon and his team. Even if immediate treatment is not indicated, we can provide detailed information on what may be needed in the future and appropriate treatment timing.
What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?
Interceptive treatment presents the opportunity to:
- CREATE more room for crowded out erupting teeth
- CREATE facial balance by influencing jaw growth
- REDUCE risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- PRESERVE or gain space for unerupted teeth
- REDUCE the need for permanent tooth removal
- SIMPLIFY treatment time with full braces
- IMPROVE the self image of our children
Although Dr. Guymon is a firm believer in early treatment for some orthodontic problems he feels that most orthodontic problems should be corrected in a single phase of treatment rather than a two-staged approach. The guiding philosophy we use is "if the problem can be corrected in one phase of treatment and still achieve an ideal result then that is what we will choose the majority of the time." This saves you money, effort and time — not to mention only having to go through one phase of treatment — and we end up with the same excellent result.
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