Orthodontic Treatments for Children

Parents may be unsure as to when to bring their child in for an orthodontic consultation. They want to do what is best for their child, and want to ensure they aren’t receiving unnecessary treatment or getting braces before they are ready. As a parent of three young children, Dr Becker understands these concerns and follows a very conservative approach when it comes to treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children be seen at around age 7. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

It is important to bring them in at this stage as they are at a crucial part of their dental and skeletal development. Most children are seen at this age and then put into our complimentary observation program. We will see them around every 6 months, take new pictures of their teeth, and monitor their growth and development until they are fully ready for treatment. For children that do need early treatment, to correct a damaging bite or to create needed space for adult teeth, Dr Becker will explain everything to both the parent and the patient and make sure that they are comfortable with the plan. At Becker Orthodontics, we are a family, and we treat our patients the same way we would want our own family treated. 

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

• Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
  
• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
  
• Create more space for crowded teeth
  
• Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
  
• Correct thumb-sucking and help improve minor speech problems
  

Signs that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
  
• A hard time chewing or biting food
  
• Mouth breathing
  
• Finger or thumb sucking
  
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
  
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
  
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
  
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
  
• Crowded front teeth around age 7 or 8
  

Please contact Becker Orthodontics, the orthodontist Chester County trusts to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Early treatment now will give your child a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.