Sep
Orthodontic care is a subject many parents have questions about. At SV Orthodontics, located in Toronto, ON, Drs. Raman Samra and Elise Vincelette, and our team want you to have a clear understanding of early-age orthodontic treatment so you can make good decisions concerning your child’s teeth. In some cases, early orthodontic intervention can help avoid major orthodontic issues in your child’s teen or adult years. Here’s what you should know about early orthodontic treatment.
We recommend that children have their first orthodontic visit by age 7. At this age, your child’s jaw and teeth are sufficiently developed that Drs. Samra and Vincelette can detect and predict if they will have bite issues. That doesn’t mean your child will start orthodontic treatment at that age. It does, however, give you as a parent, time to consider this option and plan ahead for your child’s oral health needs.
Evaluating your child’s teeth early enables us to detect potential problems sooner so we can consider treatment options. Depending on your child’s situation, we may decide to intervene early in the developmental stage of your child’s teeth to avoid serious orthodontic issues in the future.
In some cases, it’s easier to correct crowding problems when a child’s teeth and jaws are still developing to make room for the emergence of permanent teeth. Through early orthodontic treatment, we can provide adequate space for permanent teeth to come in straight and healthy. Once your child’s permanent teeth have come in, we can put complete braces in place to finalize tooth alignment and correct any bite problems. Early intervention can shorten the treatment time for final tooth alignment later down the line.
Various factors can impact the alignment of your child’s teeth, including overcrowding, losing baby teeth prematurely, habits such as thumb sucking, and genetics. Overcrowding can be the result of large teeth trying to fit within a small jaw, insufficient room for the number of teeth you have, or an early loss of baby teeth, limiting the space you have for permanent teeth to emerge properly.
Braces are composed of metal brackets and wires that are attached to your teeth for the duration of your treatment. These appliances are designed to put gentle pressure on your teeth to slowly shift them into a straighter position. By adjusting the wires periodically, Drs. Samra and Vincelette can keep your teeth under pressure to continue the straightening process until your treatment is complete. Through regular follow-up visits, we keep track of our patient’s progress with their treatment to ensure everything is progressing smoothly and optimal results are achieved. Â
To schedule a consultation for early orthodontic treatment for your children or teens, contact Drs. Raman Samra and Elise Vincelette and the team at SV Orthodontics in Toronto, ON, at (416) 213-6646.
We work with teens all the time and have a range of treatments to fit their unique needs.
It’s never too late to improve your smile. From Invisalign to Braces, we’ve got your perfect smile covered!
According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, all children should be seen for a consultation with an orthodontist by the age 7. If you haven’t brought your child in to see an orthodontist yet, book a free no-obligation assessment today.