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Early Orthodontic Treatment

Healthy Smiles Start At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics

As your child’s dual-specialty dental group, we understand the subtle signs to look for in young, developing mouths that may indicate future orthodontic issues. Dr. Ritter and our orthodontic team will look for problems such as overcrowding, underbites, crossbites, extra spacing or missing teeth early so there is plenty of time to discuss and introduce certain appliances that can help guide their growth properly. The goal of early orthodontic treatment is for Dr. Mary Ritter to guide the alignment of your child’s teeth and/or the development of their jaw so that their teeth and bite work together optimally. At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, you can rest assured that we will evaluate your child and identify any potential issues so that they have the best opportunity for a healthy and stunning smile in the future.

Is My Child A Candidate For Early Treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment begins by having our orthodontist, Dr. Mary Ritter, perform an examination of your child’s teeth and jaw. At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we have the great benefit of knowing your child’s dental health if you are currently a pediatric patient. At the evaluation appointment, we will check your child’s teeth and bite to identify any orthodontic issues that may need to be addressed. There are certain issues that may indicate your child is a candidate for early orthodontic treatment such as:

  • Thumbsucking or pacifier use after the age of four
  • Protruding front teeth
  • Speech problems
  • Crowding or extreme gaps between teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting
  • Mouth breathing
  • Shifting jaw when the mouth opens or closes

What Age Should My Child Be Evaluated?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist by the age of seven, when there are both primary and permanent teeth present. At this time, we will take digital X-rays and images to determine if early orthodontic treatment is appropriate. Dr. Ritter is an expert in identifying and correcting misalignments of the teeth and jaw. She is trained to recognize subtle anomalies in the development of the jaw and emerging permanent teeth. Not all children will require early orthodontic treatment, but all children should be evaluated to ensure they have the best opportunity for a beautiful, healthy smile.

What Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Involve?

The most common appliance used during early orthodontic treatment is a palatal expander. This device is customized to fit in the roof of your child’s mouth (palate). A palatal expander is designed to exert a gentle outward force on the upper molars that gradually expands the roof of the mouth. Depending on your child’s unique orthodontic requirements, early treatment may include placing brackets on the four upper teeth, if they protrude, to bring them into alignment and reduce the risk of injury. There are numerous benefits to palatal expansion when performed at an early age including:

  • Creates and maintains space for all permanent teeth

  • Reduces the chances of having impacted permanent teeth

  • Eliminates the need for extracting permanent teeth

  • Minimizes the risk of injury to protruding front teeth

  • Guides jaw growth and development

  • Creates facial symmetry

  • Reduces overall time in braces

Age 7 Orthodontic Evaluation FAQS

You’ve heard that all children should see an orthodontist for an evaluation by age 7, but do you know why? At this age, your child has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and we can evaluate how your child’s teeth and jaws are growing. This helps determine if your child would benefit from treatment at this age. Here are the most common questions parents ask:

By age 7, children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, making it easier to spot problems with jaw growth and bite alignment. This is the ideal time for our orthodontist to identify concerns early and guide growth while your child is still developing.

Not usually. Most children do not need to immediately start treatment. Instead, this visit helps determine whether treatment should begin now, be monitored over time or wait until more permanent teeth come in.

Practicing with your child and teaching them to open wide will get your child used to having their mouth open for extended periods of time so our team can safely and efficiently clean their teeth and perform evaluations. Furthermore, our team is experienced in working with children. They know how to get on their level and make them feel comfortable. Wiggle worm and all—we are here to help make this a pleasant and positive experience!

Some common signs include crowded or overlapping teeth, early or late loss of baby teeth, mouth breathing, difficulty chewing or teeth that don’t meet properly. Even if you don’t notice these signs, we still recommend an age 7 evaluation. Prolonged thumb sucking habits can also contribute to a future orthodontic problem. We can help provide guidance to stop harmful habits.

Yes! As a dual-specialty practice, we make it easy to transition from dental care to orthodontic care. We encourage families to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation at the same time as your child’s dental hygiene appointment if you can!

How Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics Can Help

At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, located in Westport, Shelton and Bridgeport, CT, we take great pride in providing our patients with the highest standard of orthodontic care to ensure that each child has the best possible chance of a lifelong, healthy and stunning smile. We offer consultations to determine if your child is a candidate for early orthodontic treatment. Call us today at (203) 371-8282 or request a consultation online to get started.

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for all ages. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care For The Whole Family

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for the whole family. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

Bridgeport

4702 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 371-8282

Shelton

27 Huntington St., Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 371-8282

Westport

1580 Post Rd. E, Westport, CT 06880
(203) 371-8282

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