By by Nolan E. Cordon DMD, MS
You may have noticed an increase in children 7 to 10 years of age with braces. You may have also wondered why they would have braces if they still had baby teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that an orthodontic evaluation be completed by the age of 7 (or earlier if an orthodontic concern is recognized). Many orthodontists do not charge for this type of evaluation and the orthodontist will be able share important information regarding your child’s teeth, bite and facial development. While most children 7 to 10 years of age do not need any orthodontic treatment at that time, there are some children who would benefit from early (commonly referred to as Phase I) orthodontic treatment. Early orthodontic treatment may intercept more serious problems from developing and make later treatment less complicated. Depending on the condition, early orthodontic treatment can range from a few months to over a year. Sometimes it may be more obvious when early treatment would be beneficial if, for example, there is significant crowding or a bite discrepancy. There are many other times, however, when it requires a trained orthodontic eye to diagnose, explain and treat less apparent orthodontic problems.
Dr. Cordon is an orthodontist, providing care for patients in Desert Ridge since 1997.
