Preventative Orthodontics |
While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, Orthodontic Associations worldwide recommend visiting the Orthodontist around the age of seven. At Orthostyle Montreal, we offer preventative orthodontics for our patients.
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to being treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest results and the least amount of time and expense. Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. This information allows prudent intervention that guides growth and development and helps prevent serious problems later.
Between the ages of 11 and 15 is the most common time for orthodontic treatment, and for good reasons. By 12, most if not all of the permanent teeth have erupted and are in place, and crooked teeth, gaps and bad bites can easily be detected. These problems will hardly ever correct themselves, so this is when most parents decide to seek orthodontic treatment.
This is also a good time for orthodontic treatment because many negative associations of braces are not present. Many children in this age range undergo orthodontic treatment, and children are very often able to be convinced to wear braces because they see their friends wearing them, too, and want to fit in.
Besides the benefits of fitting in with their friends, children at this age are growing rapidly, and orthodontists can usually take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the bite and teeth correctly. And children at this age have high metabolisms, which can help shorten overall treatment time and reduce the discomfort of orthodontic treatment.
Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:
We recommend wearing a proper mouth guard for all at risk sports. Does your teen play sports? If so, don't hesitate to bring us your mouth guard for an adjustment and some advice. We will help you find the right mouth guard to wear during orthodontic treatment.
