CHILDREN
First checkup about age 7
A lot people think that orthodontic treatment should be addressed when the necessity arises. That’s not necessarily wrong, but there are a lot of advantages to starting your kids on the path to a healthy bite and perfect smile early on. Myser Orthodontics and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that a child has their first orthodontic exam around the age of seven. This is a crucial time in your child’s dental and facial development and by scheduling this appointment, we can better head off any problems before they arise.
As a Board-Certified Orthodontist, Dr. Myser is considered an expert not only in tooth-movement, but also in the growth and development of children and teens. At this critical first appointment, Dr. Myser, Dr. Barnhart or Dr. Keylor will evaluate your child’s facial pattern to look for proper balance, symmetry and growth. They will count the number of teeth, take appropriate x-rays and make sure that you know where, when and how to go about helping your child get all of their teeth into a great smile.
Our doctors further recommend that children who have not had an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 11 or 12 do so, as it's usually around then that the last baby teeth are lost.
The AAO recommends that every child have an orthodontic check up by age 7.
American Association of Orthodontists
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Early treatment allows your doctor to:
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Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw
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Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches to help the permanent teeth erupt into healthy tissues
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Reduce the probability of permanent tooth extractions as part of the comprehensive plan
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Address impacted teeth and other eruptive issues
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Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
A customized plan to help your child grow.
Your kids are unique, and naturally, you want them to be treated that way. That’s exactly what we do at Myser Orthodontics. We treat each patient as a unique individual. That’s because we believe that understanding your child’s personality and unique stage of development is going to help us choose the best treatment for them. Like you, we want to do what’s best for them.
Does your child need to see an orthodontist?
Here are a few things to look for:
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Early or late loss of baby teeth
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A hard time chewing or biting food
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Mouth breathing
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Finger or thumb sucking
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Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
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Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
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Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
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Crowded front teeth around age 7 or 8
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Psychosocial concerns such as not wanting to smile in photographs or getting teased by peers
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary orthodontic evaluation.
Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.