Sometimes problems are hidden at first. As a parent, you may not notice anything unusual. If your child's bite or teeth are growing our of alignment - it may get worse and can cause major problems later on. The American Association for Orthodontists recommends that every child be evaluated by an orthodontist by the age of 7.
Treatment is usually a two step process.
First may be an orthopedic phase. While many baby teeth are still present, this is the ideal time to correct dental crowding due to jam constrictions and disproportionate facial growth, such as an underdeveloped lower jaw. This phase usually consists of using special retainers and sometimes limited braces for approximately 1 year. This allows us to create a fuller, more beautiful smile with balanced facial proportions and healthy jaw joints without the removal of any permanent teeth in most cases. In many offices, teeth are extracted in the majority of orthodontic cases.