Finding the Right Time to Start
As a parent in or around Walterboro, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a comfortable, well-aligned smile for years to come.
Get a Head Start on Oral Health with Early Evaluations for Your Child
At Holland Maness Orthodontics, our goal is to treat your children as if they were our own, by providing them with the best possible orthodontic care and a child-friendly, fun atmosphere.
If we determine that your child will need orthodontic treatment at a later date, they will be placed into our free orthodontic Supervisory Program!
Close to 20% of kids between the ages of 7 and 10 need early treatment for major issues involving their bite, permanent teeth that are not erupting correctly, or overcrowding.
Don’t fret if your little one needs early treatment though: early treatment can resolve problems before major issues develop, and can shorten the second phase of treatment that’s usually necessary once their adult teeth are in.
To have a smile that's long-lasting and healthy, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned - in other words, a healthy bite.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. By then, your child's teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to still be spotted while some baby teeth are still present.
Your first check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine and braces aren't necessary. We’ll never start treatment before it’s necessary.
Dr. Maness may identify a developing problem, but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development.
They will then begin treatment when orthodontic and developmental cues indicate that it’s an appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Maness might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
What Is Early Treatment?
Also known as Phase 1 treatment, early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
During your child's first free evaluation, Dr. Maness will first determine if there are any problems to address, like potential crowding, open bite, overbite, or gummy smiles. The Phase I treatment plan can include preventive, interceptive, or modifying treatment.
Orthodontic appliances may be placed to prevent a problem from occurring, correct a current problem or help direct jawbone growth. Multiple problems with tooth alignment, gums, jaws, and facial problems can be corrected with Phase I treatment.
In some cases, Dr. Maness will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
How to Choose the Perfect Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
If Dr. Maness thinks your child will need treatment, they will let you know when it would be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Orthodontic Supervisory Program for Kids
The orthodontic supervisory program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth.
Sometimes, poor erupted patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth and reduce the treatment time required for braces. We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit.
We normally see the patients on recall every six to eight months to observe their progress as they grow. There is no fee for this program and it helps Dr. Maness determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible results for your child.
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If you would like to bring your child to Holland Maness Orthodontics for an evaluation, please contact our Walterboro office to set up a free consultation.
Dr. Maness would love to discuss your child's orthodontic options with you to develop a treatment plan that’s customized to your child's specific needs and goals.