Braces America

Growth and Your Child’s Appearance The first ten years of your child’s life will profoundly affect their future physical and mental well-being. They will experience the majority of all growth during these years. In the case of facial development, they lay the foundation between the ages of three and eight years, and their permanent teeth begin to grow in at about age six. Science has developed the ability to project a young person’s future facial growth. Doctors perform the analysis using a computer, a technology that has been employed for half a million patients. This technique allows doctors to initiate more types of treatment in early childhood, when it is most effective. Before age six, doctors can identify and correct unfavorable facial growth patterns to provide an improved appearance for your child at maturity. Orthodontic (braces) and orthopedic (headgear, etc.) appliances can control the position of the teeth within the jaws as well as the alignment of the jaws themselves. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment enable your doctor to guide your child’s facial development and enhance their appearance. Maintaining Patient Health Many childhood problems, if left untreated, reappear in later years as completely different diseases. Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) If the position of the teeth and jaws do not allow the jaw joint to function properly, this can result in pain, headaches, and hearing difficulties. TMJ problems now affect many people old and young. Periodontal Disease If the teeth are misaligned, or if the teeth of one jaw hit upon the gums of the other jaw, the likelihood of periodontal (gum) disease is greatly increased. Periodontal disease is now the number one cause of adult tooth loss. Breathing Problems Allergies and enlarged tonsils and adenoids can cause breathing difficulties. Early detection of these problems is important. Proper treatment can prevent your child from suffering abnormal facial development as a result of breathing deficiencies. A thorough computer evaluation of dental models and head x-rays along with a clinical examination performed by your doctor are essential for diagnosing these health problems. Proper treatment during childhood will prevent more serious trouble in the future. Early Treatment Computer projection will indicate the possibility of potential areas that may require special treatment considerations. This projection will also indicate areas where early diagnosis and treatment can prevent future special procedures such as oral and maxillofacial surgery. Some of the more common problems requiring special treatment: Impaction of third molars (wisdom teeth) Removal of teeth for orthodontic treatment Need for orthopedic treatment (headgear, palatal separation) Need for orthognathic surgery If diagnosis and treatment begin early, some conditions requiring extensive treatment or surgery can be eliminated or reduced in severity. With the computer analysis now available, dentists can carefully evaluate space during the critical years of a young child’s development. Thus, if necessary, treatment can involve creating or maintaining space for teeth to erupt. When necessary, dentists remove wisdom tooth buds before teeth develop, thus eliminating the need for more complicated wisdom tooth removal as an adult. Come into our office today for a free consultation from Dr. Nader Dayani! We have two locations, West Los Angeles and Irvine. Call us today to schedule your appointment at 310-826-7494 or 949-552-5890. The post Childhood Orthodontic Care appeared first on bracesamerica.com .

Learn why starting orthodontic treatment early can help kids and teens with healthier, happier smiles. Discover key benefits like better jaw growth, easier future dental care, and boosted confidence.

When you think of braces or retainers, you might picture teens with metal wires on their teeth. But did you know that starting orthodontic treatment as early as age 7 or 8 has some big advantages? Sure, those early years seem young for dental work, but when it comes to straightening teeth and guiding jaw growth, it’s right on time. Early orthodontic treatment can make a big difference for your dental health, comfort, and confidence. Let’s dig into the ways getting a jump-start on braces or aligners might be the best decision ever.

Early orthodontic treatment, also called "interceptive" treatment, starts before all the adult teeth come in—typically around age 7 to 10. An orthodontist might use devices like braces, retainers, or even expanders to help the jaw grow the right way. This kind of treatment focuses on fixing issues like crooked teeth, crowded smiles, or bite problems (like when your upper and lower teeth don’t align right).

Let’s get into some big reasons why early treatment can make a real difference:

- By catching problems early, orthodontists can often stop them from getting worse. Imagine a tree branch growing crooked—if you guide it while it’s young, it grows the right way. It’s the same idea with teeth!

- Early treatment makes room for those adult teeth to come in straight and healthy. No more squeezing or overlapping where teeth compete for space.

- Let’s face it—kids and teens want to look their best. A straighter smile can give them that extra boost of confidence right when they need it most.

Better Jaw Growth: Early treatment can guide jaw development, reducing the need for surgery later.

Improved Chewing and Speech: A well-aligned bite makes eating and speaking much easier, which can boost comfort and confidence.

Easier Dental Care: Straight teeth are easier to clean, which can reduce the risk of cavities or gum disease.

It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but most kids adjust quickly. Orthodontists use gentle techniques designed to be as comfortable as possible.

Early treatment usually takes about 12-18 months. Sometimes, more treatment may be needed as the child grows, but this can shorten the total time for braces later on.

In some cases, yes! Early treatment can reduce or eliminate the need for more treatment later. However, some kids might still need braces to perfect their smile.

By starting orthodontic treatment early, you’re setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles. This early jump can prevent problems before they grow, make future dental work easier, and give a confidence boost that only a great smile can bring. So if your dentist or orthodontist suggests early treatment, it might just be the perfect time to get that smile on the right track!