Early Orthodontic Treatment in St. Paul
The earlier we identify problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they often are to correct. Early orthodontic treatment at Thayer Orthodontics in St. Paul, MN allows us to monitor your child’s growing teeth and jaws, step in at the right moment, and guide development so future treatment may be shorter, less complex, and more affordable for your family.
request an appointmentWhy Early Orthodontic Evaluation Matters
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices a possible problem, or by age 7. At this age, a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth is present, and the jaws are still growing. This gives our orthodontist a valuable window to evaluate dental and skeletal development and spot concerns such as crowding, crossbites, or jaw growth problems before they become more difficult to treat.
Monitoring Growth and Development
For many children, an early visit simply means monitoring. We may not need to do anything right away other than watch how your child’s teeth and jaws develop. By keeping a close eye on growth through regular re-evaluations, we know exactly when to begin treatment, if it is needed, and we can act right away if something arises.
Benefits of Early Intervention
- Bite and alignment problems are often simpler to correct at a younger age
- Results may be better than waiting until all permanent teeth arrive
- Future treatment may require significantly less work
- Braces may not need to stay on as long, which can mean less expense
- Growth can be guided to create room for erupting permanent teeth
Problems Early Treatment Can Address
Early, or interceptive, treatment can help with crowding, bite problems caused by habits such as thumb sucking, teeth coming in out of position, and uneven jaw growth. Interceptive treatment or growth modification timing is based on each child’s individual growth and dental development, and diagnostic tools like digital x-rays help us plan precisely.
The Next Step After Early Treatment
Some children will need a second phase of treatment once their permanent teeth have erupted, such as braces for children or braces for teens using traditional braces or clear braces. Learn more about orthodontics, explore all of our orthodontic services, or visit our New Patients page.
Early Orthodontic Treatment FAQs
What is early orthodontic treatment?
Early, or interceptive, orthodontic treatment addresses developing bite and alignment problems in young children while their teeth and jaws are still growing.
At what age should my child have an orthodontic evaluation?
The AAO recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, or sooner if your dentist notices a possible problem.
Does every child who is evaluated need treatment right away?
No. Many children are simply monitored with periodic re-evaluations until the ideal time to begin treatment, if treatment is needed at all.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
Early treatment can make problems simpler to fix, improve results, reduce the amount of future treatment needed, and potentially shorten the time braces are worn.
Will my child still need braces after early treatment?
Some children need a second phase of treatment once their permanent teeth come in, but it is often shorter and less complex thanks to early intervention.
Can early treatment help with thumb sucking effects?
Yes. Prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking can push teeth out of position, and early evaluation allows us to address the resulting bite problems as the child develops.
Is the initial evaluation for early treatment free?
Yes. Thayer Orthodontics offers a complimentary initial orthodontic exam, and no referral is required.
Schedule Your Child’s Early Orthodontic Evaluation
Give your child a head start toward a healthy smile. Call Thayer Orthodontics at (651) 488-5622 or request a complimentary evaluation online today.
