Interceptive Orthodontics In Schaumburg, IL

Does your child suck their thumb or use a pacifier? Has early tooth loss made it so that their bite is changing? Our early bite assessments allow us to help your child avoid bite complications, such as impacted teeth, crossbites, or overbites. Even better, interceptive orthodontics can prevent the need to wear braces for an extended period of time during your child's adolescent years.

pediatric patient receiving interceptive orthodontics at ABC DentistryIs your child in need of convenient and gentle preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment? At ABC Dentistry & Orthodontics, many of our patients come from surrounding communities throughout the Schaumburg, IL area, including Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Palatine, Barrington, Streamwood, and Inverness!

Preventive & Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children who stop sucking their thumb or pacifier by the age of 1 and before the age of 3 are less likely to need braces for medical reasons in the future. While the act of weaning can be a difficult process for young children as well as their parents, it certainly is a healthy commitment to make.

So, how can you ensure that your child has a beautiful, well-aligned smile as they grow? Here’s our very own Dr. Samantha Cordell with an explanation about late thumb-sucking and pacifier use - and how resulting damage can be helped with easy tips you can do right at home.

 

Early orthodontic treatment is typically provided when the majority of a child’s baby teeth are present. Treatment recommendations will be based on the child’s unique orthodontic concerns, with the overall goal of promoting proper growth of the child’s permanent teeth as they continue to grow. 

There are a wide variety of early orthodontic treatments available, and not all of them include braces. For some children, early orthodontic treatment could consist of the removal of a stubborn baby tooth, creating room for the proper growth of the surrounding permanent teeth. Other children may benefit from habit appliances designed to help correct a habit of sucking the thumb or finger, or a palate expander to widen the jaw for patients whose permanent teeth need more room to come in properly.

Our dentists will consider patients for braces to enhance the their jaw and smile alignment after their permanent teeth have come through. 

If you think your child could benefit from early orthodontic treatment, the skilled pediatric dentists at ABC Dentistry will assess your their unique smile needs to determine the orthodontic treatment plan that suits them best!

When Is The Best Time To Begin Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment?

ABC Dentistry team posing wearing themed t-shirtsWondering when it’s healthiest for your child to begin interceptive orthodontic treatment? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children to be screened by an orthodontist by the age of 7, to spot potential smile problems as early as possible!

At the age of 7, children will have enough permanent teeth to allow their orthodontist to spot issues like misalignment, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. The orthodontist will also be able to detect tooth crowding, jaw dysfunction, abnormal jaw growth, excess spacing between the teeth, and any early abnormalities related to bite function.

Early treatment of orthodontic conditions, even while some of your child’s baby teeth remain, can help set the proper foundation for your child’s smile, jaw, and facial structure as they continue to grow. This will also allow a better space for the remainder of their permanent teeth to properly grow in!

Have questions about habit appliances, interceptive orthodontics, or braces for your child? Call us today to get all the answers you need!

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