Give Your Child’s Smile a Head Start
At WOW! Smiles™, we’re often asked when a child should first see an orthodontist. When we say seven, many parents are shocked!
Kids Need an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
The truth is, dental problems related to jaw growth get worse, not better. Children are growing rapidly at this age. Permanent teeth are starting to replace baby teeth, so young children benefit enormously from interceptive treatment.
Not every seven-year-old will need braces, but there are some circumstances where orthodontic treatment can help. We can balance the relationship between the upper and lower jaws and make room for erupting teeth (and to avoid pesky extractions later!)
These community service screenings are another way we love to give back to the communities we serve. In many instances, we detect issues early which can often help patients avoid future lengthy, costly and more invasive treatment.
Schedule Your Child’s Free Consultation
Reasons for Early Treatment
Not every seven-year-old will need braces, but there are some circumstances where orthodontic appliances can help. We can balance the relationship between the upper and lower jaws and make room for erupting teeth (and to avoid pesky extractions later!)
We recommend early arch development and growth guidance in these cases:
- Protruding incisors
- Deep bites
- Severe crowding
- Open bites
- Bite problems
- Underbites
- Jaw disharmony
- Crossbites
Super WOW! Kids Growth Guidance Program
We created WOW! Smiles to provide orthodontic treatment that’s efficient, appropriate, and effective. That means that not every child who has an early screening is ready for braces, or will even need braces.
The Super WOW! Kids Growth Guidance Program helps us track your child’s jaw growth and bite development over time. Joining this program means your child will come for free visits, where we may take orthodontic records and X-rays. This will let you know the best time to start treatment, if at all.
Benefits
- Less need to pull teeth
- Less time in full braces
- Improved self-image
- Less need for jaw surgery
- Broader, fuller smile
- Improved function
- Improved nasal airway
When younger children need early interceptive treatment, we separate orthodontic treatment into two phases, with each stage beginning at the appropriate time.
About Our 2 Treatment Phases
Phase 1
- Ages 7-10 years
- Active treatment for 12-18 months
Resting Period
- Ages 10-12 years
- Retainers for 12-24 months
Phase 2
- Ages 12-14 years
- Active treatment for 12-18 months
Before Phase 1
After Phase 1
After Phase 2
More About Orthodontics for Kids
Your child will have unique needs, but the best way to give the highest-quality treatment at the best time will be through an early evaluation from WOW! Smiles.
