It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists for patients to have their first orthodontic exam at the age of seven, or at the first warning signs that treatment may be necessary. At Trapnell Orthodontics, we believe that finding and treating orthodontic issues at an early age is beneficial to ensuring a healthy smile.
Benefits of Early Treatment
Discovering and correcting an orthodontic problem is much easier when the patient is younger. Early treatment can be more cost and time effective than putting off the problem until the patient is older.
- Development– Early treatment can allow the doctor to examine a patient’s developing smile. This can help determine whether the patient needs immediate treatment or not. If the patient is in need of immediate treatment, this allows the doctor to decide which treatment option would best fit the patient’s needs and determine how long treatment will need to last.
- Prevention– If the patient does not need immediate treatment, but the doctor notices warning signs that show treatment may be necessary in the future, preventing these future problems could be much easier at an early age. Preventing a potentially serious disorder before it develops can be much easier than treatment later in life.
- Assessment– Once the adult molars break through, we can get a much more accurate picture of how the teeth will work together. Evaluating the development of the patient’s mouth from the beginning is key to having a healthy smile later in life.
- Cost Effective– Treating patients at a younger age can is far less costly than waiting until development has begun. The results will be far more effective at a younger age as well which could cut back on future costs as the patient grows.
After the doctor has determined whether or not treatment is needed, they will determine which treatment solution would correct the problem best. If teeth are coming in crooked or there are signs of an overbite or an underbite, the doctor will decide between traditional braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign or one of the other options we offer at Trapnell Orthodontics.
At Trapnell Orthodontics, we believe that early treatment is the best option for patients and their families. If you are interested in visiting one of our four Utah County locations for an early treatment or for one of our other services you can contact us by clicking here.
