If your children are anything like mine, they didn’t come into the world with a manual. As parents, my husband and I have had to figure things out on our own. We rely on our pediatrician, friends, and family for advice and hope we make the best decisions for our children.
As an orthodontist and a mom, many fellow parents have come to me for guidance about their child’s dental health and the most opportune time to begin orthodontic treatment. Today we’ll explore some of the most common misconceptions we hear about orthodontic treatment.
1. My Child Needs to Have All Their Permanent Teeth Before Starting Braces
MYTH! All you need to know are three words—7 and up! The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child see the orthodontist for their first growth checkup by age 7. Why so early? By seeing an orthodontist while their mouth is still growing, an orthodontic specialist can more easily intercept a potential problem or recommend orthodontic treatment begin at the most opportune time.
Growth problems, including crossbites, severe overbites, underbites, crowding, and problems caused by excessive thumb sucking, teeth grinding and mouth breathing are often apparent by age 7. Early detection can eliminate the need for extraction of healthy permanent teeth, orthognathic surgery, or more complex (and often more expensive) orthodontic treatment in the future. For many parents, this is a win! Your child doesn’t need extensive treatment, and you save some money.
While many kids won’t need to start orthodontic treatment at this early age, our practice offers free orthodontic growth checkups for children ages 7 and up. We can begin when the time is best for your child. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, please visit us online.
2. All Orthodontists are Dentists, but Not All Dentists are Orthodontists
FACT! While both dentists and orthodontists provide professional care for teeth, an orthodontist is a specially trained doctor who undergoes two or three more years of additional education after completing dental school. During orthodontic residency, orthodontists are specially trained in safe tooth movement and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development. While dentists are focused on general health and hygiene of your teeth and gums, an orthodontist is a specialist in moving and aligning the jaws and bite.
3. All Orthodontists are Board Certified
MYTH! Only a small percentage of orthodontists are Board Certified. Board Certified Orthodontists voluntarily undergo hundreds of additional hours of training and education to provide the highest level of care to their patients. As a Board Certified Orthodontist, I am committed to learning the latest techniques, long after finishing dental school. I take continuing education courses so I can better serve my patients. Board Certified Orthodontists must renew their certification every 10 years to demonstrate a commitment to excellence.
I believe strongly that orthodontics is so much more than simply straightening teeth. A Board Certified Orthodontist focuses on more than just the smile. Even though we all want our kids to have beautiful smiles, the way the bite fits together is equally if not more important. As a Board Certified Orthodontist, I focus on not only having straight teeth that look great, but also how the teeth fit together to create a comfortable bite and jaw alignment that will last a lifetime.
For example, many patients that have a deep bite have straight teeth. However, if the teeth are left in a deep bite, the lower front teeth will likely wear down more quickly. This causes the need for restorative treatment on the lower teeth as you age. Orthodontic treatment provides a way to correct a deep bite when a patient is young and healthy. It can eliminate future dental work caused by a deep bite. My primary goal for my patients is to achieve a beautiful smile and a bite that will be comfortable and functional for the rest of their lives.
To find a Board Certified Orthodontist and learn more about the standards that we adhere to, visit The American Board of Orthodontics.
4. You Need a Referral from a Dentist to See an Orthodontist
MYTH! At my practice, we want to make orthodontic treatment as easy as possible for families around the Twin Cities area. There’s no need for a dental referral to make an appointment with us. If you’re ready to have your child evaluated or would like a second opinion, please contact us online to schedule a complimentary consultation.
I hope this helps clear up a few questions you may have about orthodontic treatment for your child.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (651) 406-8100 or visit lakesideorthodontics.com!
We’re located centrally in Eagan, MN. We’d love to meet your family!
