Starting Early for Smiles That Last a Lifetime

The American Association of Orthodontists says kids should have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7. This way, we can spot any potential problems and figure out the best time to start treatment. At Smiles by Dr. R, we know that catching orthodontic issues early can make a big difference for your child’s dental health and confidence. Early treatment can make everything easier when those adult teeth finally come in!

Wondering why we want to see your child so early? Early visits help us:

  • Guide those new teeth into the right spots.
  • Help jaws grow the right way.
  • Lower the chance of teeth getting stuck.
  • Avoid the need to pull permanent teeth.
  • Save space for the big teeth coming in.
  • Correct harmful habits like thumb-sucking.
  • Address tongue thrusting for proper bite alignment.
  • Improve speech development and clarity.
Orthodontic assistant working on a patient

Early Treatment and Future Braces

Early treatments typically involve the use of expanders to widen the arches. You may have also heard them called “spacers.” Sometimes, we also use things like…yes, you guessed it, headgear, and brackets on the front teeth to create space for the developing teeth. This all depends on your child’s individual needs.
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Early treatment, also called Interceptive Treatment, can nip big problems in the bud and make future treatments simpler. This can be extremely important. This treatment is done when your child has a combination of permanent and baby teeth, usually at around 7-8 years old. Because not all adult teeth are in yet, your child might still need an additional phase of braces (Phase II) during their teen years. Sometimes, this second round isn’t needed at all!

*Not every child needs early treatment—some dental issues are best addressed once all permanent teeth are in. That’s why we create a unique plan for each child. If they’re not ready for braces yet, they’ll join our Orthodontic Observation Program, or “Kids Club.”This free program lets us monitor their dental development with checkups every 6-8 months, ensuring we start treatment at the right time for the best results.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Feel better, look better, and smile with confidence. Schedule your free consultation at our Boca Raton or Parkland/Coral Springs office!

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