We believe that early treatment is beneficial when needed, and many patients are pleasantly surprised to find that their treatment can be carried out at an early age.
A beautiful smile together with straight teeth that function well can have a tremendous effect on self esteem, self confidence and long term dental health. It is a great investment for life!
If you are self conscious about your teeth , YOU can do something about it. Orthodontics can give you real confidence. Just have a look at the difference it has made to some of our younger patients
Early Orthodontic treatment is treatment which is carried out quite commonly when a child still has several remaining/deciduous teeth. This type of early treatment often involves placing a space maintainer; commonly these are fixed but occasionally can be removed by the patient. Early treatment is often very beneficial when a child has to lose a tooth or teeth early because of a cavity or tooth decay. This is more important if a child loses a baby molar tooth than if they lose a front baby tooth.
Whilst treatment appears early for one child it may not be for another. Most children will have lost most of their baby teeth by the age of twelve. Quite often many problems can be identified, rationalised and in many cases early treatment carried out by your Orthodontist. This should be checked at an initial Orthodontic consultation at aged between nine and ten years of age.
Are there advantages to early treatment in growing children? Yes.
- In many situations early intervention can improve, simplify and shorten Orthodontic treatment which is going to be carried out at a later stage.
- It can reduce the likelihood of impacted teeth, and may indeed aid the dis-impaction of permanent teeth.
- It may preserve space for erupting permanent teeth.
- It may improve the appearance of front teeth reducing the risk of teasing and improve the self esteem of our children and young adults.