Finding the Right Time to Start
As a parent in or around Hinsdale, 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 Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, 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.
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.
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: 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.
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 needed. We'll never start treatment before it's necessary.
Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair 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. Riccio and Dr. Blair 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.
In some cases, Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair 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. Riccio and Dr. Blair think your child will need treatment, they will let you know when it would be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist at Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry the best chance to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
What Is The Orthodontic Supervisory Program?
The orthodontic supervisory program is for children 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. Riccio and Dr. Blair determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible results for your child.
Signs to See Us
Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- A hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
- Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If you would like to bring your child to Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry for an evaluation, please contact our Hinsdale office to set up a free consultation.
Dr. Riccio and Dr. Blair 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.