Is Early Orthodontic Care Right for your Child?

At Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental, your child’s oral health is monitored with the expertise of board-certified orthodontist Dr. Adam Hoina during every general dental visit. This built-in advantage means we can track their development and determine when early orthodontic treatment might be necessary—all without requiring extra appointments.

When early intervention is recommended, it’s often because we’ve identified an opportunity to guide your child’s teeth and jaws toward healthier alignment while they’re still growing. By acting at the right time, we can prevent more complex issues in the future and set the stage for a lifetime of confident smiles. Let’s explore whether early orthodontics could be the key to unlocking your child’s best smile!

What is early orthodontics?

Early orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is a proactive approach to addressing dental and jaw alignment issues while some baby teeth are still present. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. By seven years old, a mix of baby and permanent teeth gives us a clear picture of how the teeth and jaws are developing, allowing us to identify any potential concerns.

Unlike traditional orthodontics, early orthodontics focuses on taking advantage of your child’s natural growth to correct problems before they become more severe. This can reduce or even eliminate the need for more extensive and costly treatment later on.

What can I expect from an early orthodontic consult?

During your child’s consultation, Dr. Hoina will perform a comprehensive evaluation to assess their bite, jaw alignment, and overall oral development. Depending on his findings, we may recommend one of three paths:

  1. No Treatment Needed: Your child’s smile is on track, and we’ll continue to monitor their development during regular visits.
  2. Monitoring: Periodic check-ins to track how your kido’s face, teeth and jaws grow and change over time.
  3. Early Intervention: If we identify a problem that will benefit from early treatment, we will develop a plan to address concerns and support healthy development.

What Problems Can Early Orthodontics Address?

Dr. Hoina may recommend early treatment for a variety of issues, including:

  • Skeletal Issues and Bite Problems: Conditions like anterior crossbite (also known as an underbite or bulldog bite), where the lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth; posterior crossbite, where the upper jaw is too narrow to function properly with the lower jaw; or excessive overjet (often referred to as an overbite), where the upper teeth stick out too much. 
  • Crowding and Spacing: Severe crowding or large gaps between teeth can be treated early to ensure proper alignment as permanent teeth emerge.
  • Extra or Missing Teeth: Early evaluation can help manage unusual eruption patterns or developmental concerns related to missing or extra teeth.
  • Damaging Habits: Persistent habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use can negatively affect jaw and tooth development. Early intervention can help prevent long-term issues.

What are the benefits of early treatment?

The primary goal of early orthodontics is to guide your child’s teeth and jaw toward healthy development by addressing problems before they escalate into more complex issues. Early treatment takes advantage of critical growth stages, making it easier to correct concerns like bite misalignments or crowding. By effectively eliminating the source of the problem, we support the healthy development of the facial/jaw bones and the “incoming” secondary teeth. Some issues are easier to correct when treated early, whereas correction may be much more challenging if we wait until the permanent teeth have erupted and most facial growth has already occurred.

How do you treat early problems?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to early orthodontic care. Dr. Hoina tailors each treatment plan to your child’s unique needs, ensuring they receive the most effective and appropriate intervention.

Some children may benefit from orthodontic appliances, which can be fixed (non-removable) or removable, to reposition the jaw, guide tooth alignment, or hold teeth in place as they grow. In certain cases, early braces or early invisalign may be recommended to address specific concerns like correcting a crossbite or aligning teeth early to prevent more significant issues down the road.

For other children, simply removing specific baby teeth can create the necessary space for permanent teeth to grow in properly. We also address damaging habits, like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use, with behavioral guidance or habit-correcting appliances. These habits can be tough to break, but with gentle strategies and support, we can help your child transition smoothly toward healthier oral development.

Now, what specific questions do YOU have? We welcome them! Schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation today. Call 336-999-0123 to speak with an Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental team member in Clemmons, NC.