The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child has an evaluation by an orthodontic specialist by age 7 & up. The primary objective of the appointment is to screen for developmental issues such as crossbites, jaw discrepancies, and missing, impacted, or ankylosed permanent teeth which do not always show up on the typical check-up x-rays taken by your general dentist. These developmental problems, if not recognized early enough, can create long-term problems and sometimes create a need for more complicated solutions. That’s why age 7 & up is the right time to see on orthodontist.
Dr. Vermette also evaluates which primary teeth your child has lost and which of the permanent teeth have come in. It helps the permanent teeth come in straighter if the primary teeth are lost at the right time and in the right order. Sometimes something as simple as the orthodontist asking your general dentist to remove a baby tooth early can also significantly help guide the permanent teeth into a better location. In most cases, the general dentist will not do this without a request from an orthodontic specialist.
Another objective of the appointment is to guide your family as to the most optimal time to begin treatment. At Vermette Orthodontics, we believe that identifying this optimal time will provide the best results in the shortest time. We will schedule future visits for your child to monitor their growth and development and help you make the decision that’s best for your child. These monitoring visits are done at no charge, so you’ll get all the information you need without any pressure. Give us a call today to schedule your child’s initial exam.