Why Early Treatment Matters

Article by Dr. Leaver & Dr. Gardner

Many orthodontic patients begin treatment in their teens once all the permanent teeth are in place and the results are slightly more predictable. However, orthodontics can benefit patients of all ages, including young children! That’s just one reason why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child has an initial screening by about the age of seven. Even if early treatment isn’t necessary, this initial screening will help Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner monitor your child’s growth patterns, so they can identify potential issues before they have the chance to become more serious. Once you understand why early treatment matters, you can set your child up for a lifetime of smiles!

Here at Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics, we know that your child’s smile is as special as they are. Our doctors build preventative treatment plans around your child’s specific needs so our team can provide them with exceptional care and superior results. When you schedule a free orthodontic evaluation for your child in our Las Vegas and Summerlin offices, Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner will take a look at their dental development up to this point and assess their overall oral health. They’ll also check for anything that stands out and may require further observation and possible treatment, whether now and or later.

If our doctors detect any potential problems in a child between the ages of 6-9, it may prompt a treatment stage we refer to as interceptive orthodontics.

WHAT IS INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS?

Interceptive orthodontics, also known as Phase I orthodontics, is a process we use to identify and diagnose any issues a younger child is experiencing with the growth and development of their teeth or jaw. This allows Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner to begin the most effective treatments at the ideal time, creating space for the proper development and eruption of the permanent teeth. Interceptive orthodontics also enhances the growth of a child’s jaw. This results in straighter teeth, improved oral health, and a more symmetrical smile.

WHO IS A GOOD FIT FOR INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS?

During your child’s first visit with us, Dr. Leaver or Dr. Gardner will examine their teeth and jaws. If they notice any of the following, interceptive orthodontics may be recommended:

While some developmental issues may correct themselves as a child grows, others may require intervention. Many orthodontic issues are genetic, including gapped or crowded teeth, extra or missing teeth, and several other irregularities. Other problems can be acquired through injury, premature tooth loss, or bad oral habits.

Whatever the underlying cause, we know that alignment issues and other problems can affect the way your child’s smile looks, feels, and functions. Interceptive orthodontics allows us to successfully address each one of those concerns!

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF INTERCEPTIVE ORTHODONTICS?

Many parents we speak to in our office are concerned that an orthodontic evaluation for their child will automatically lead to early treatment, but we actually recommend this for only a small percentage of the children we see. Even if Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner do recommend treatment, it doesn’t necessarily mean putting braces on your child right away. Many Phase I treatments don’t even use any brackets or wires! Some of these include:

At Leaver & Gardner Orthodontics, we follow the normal patterns of dental growth and development in children. We can treat many problems in a child whose mouth is still developing, but treatment often becomes more complex and sometimes more invasive once their jawbones stop growing around the ages of 16-18.

By taking advantage of interceptive orthodontics, Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner are often able to achieve lasting results for many common issues and lessen the impact of others! It is important to note that most patients will still require a second phase of treatment with braces or aligners to complete the alignment process.

MONITORING YOUR CHILD’S SMILE THROUGH THE YEARS

You probably know that regular dental visits are essential for keeping your child’s smile healthy, but did you know that regular orthodontic visits also have a multitude of benefits? Even if we don’t detect any oral issues during your child’s initial evaluation, follow-up visits as they grow to allow Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner to:

By proactively tackling orthodontic issues in this way, our expert team is in the best position to give children the customized care they need when they need it the most, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

HELP YOUR CHILD SMILE FOR A LIFETIME WITH LEAVER & GARDNER ORTHODONTICS

Like many things in life, orthodontics is best used as a preventive measure. Knowing why early treatment matters helps you manage your child’s orthodontic issues early on and can help prevent more serious problems from developing down the road, saving you time and money. While early treatment won’t be necessary for every child, it can truly make a huge difference for those who do need it!

With proper planning, interceptive orthodontics can help improve the tooth and jaw alignment and restore the optimal tooth and bite function. This leads to long-lasting results, better self-confidence, and a beautifully aligned smile! If you have a child who’s ready for their first orthodontic evaluation, we’d love to meet you both and take a look at their dental development so far. Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation with Dr. Leaver and Dr. Gardner in Las Vegas or Summerlin!