At Holmes & Palmer Orthodontics, our team of orthodontists understand and respect their responsibility to your children and their journey to optimal dental health. They use the latest technology and knowledge available to assess and provide exceptional orthodontic care in Charleston, WV, for every patient. Our orthodontists believe that the foundation for a healthy, attractive smile starts young, and they, along with their knowledgeable team, strive to provide the best possible care for our patients of all ages!
How To Know If Your Child Will Need Braces
The best way to know if your child is going to need braces is for them to have their smile evaluated. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get an orthodontic evaluation by age seven because most kids at this age have both baby teeth and permanent teeth, which makes it easier for us to spot developing problems. However, if you or your child’s general dentist notices any abnormalities or potential concerns, they may refer your child to an orthodontist for a comprehensive evaluation.
When meeting with your child in the initial consultation, our orthodontists will assess your child’s current smile. At this time, it’s important to evaluate the teeth, gums, jawbones, and muscles to identify any potential concerns. Our orthodontic office in Charleston, WV, uses modern tools in orthodontics, including diagnostic x-rays, to determine the growth rate of your child and establish the best game plan to help them achieve optimal dental health.
Our orthodontists then present treatment options that can, in most cases, be completed with the help of braces. These potential issues that can be resolved with braces include:
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- Overcrowding
- Spacing
- Misaligned jaw
- Crooked/misaligned teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Periodontal issues
- Chewing or speech concerns
If you or your general dentist notices any of these issues, you might consider braces for your child. The best thing to do is schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our skilled orthodontists. We look forward to helping your child achieve their best smile!
Benefits Of Early Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic appointment no later than age 7. The best benefit to your child seeing an orthodontist this early means that it allows plenty of time for any potential dental concerns to be both found and addressed as quickly as possible. The longer that you wait to address an issue, such as jaw alignment, the more complex the treatment can be. By having your child evaluated early and often, you can ensure that any potential dental issues are found quickly and addressed as soon as possible.
If after an evaluation we determine that your child doesn’t need treatment right away, our team will work with you to regularly monitor the growth and development of your child’s jaw and teeth.
Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Treatment
As a parent, it is not always obvious when your child needs orthodontic treatment. Staying vigilant and scheduling regular checkups are two essential ways to be proactive. These are some frequent orthodontic problems that tend to arise at an early age:
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- Early or late tooth loss
- Difficulties eating and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Continued thumb sucking
- Speech impairments
- Protruding teeth
- Teeth that do not come together normally or at all
- Jaw movement when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around the age of seven or eight
If you recognize any of these signs, please contact our orthodontic office in Charleston, WV, to schedule a complimentary consultation. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is dedicated to helping your child achieve optimal dental health.
