The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening by age 7. At this age, enough permanent teeth have erupted into the mouth so that the orthodontist can identify present or anticipate future problems. Some signs that may indicate the need for early treatment include:

- early or late loss of baby teeth
- crowded, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- biting of the roof of the mouth with the bottom front teeth
- thumb / finger sucking habits
- jaws that shift to one side when closing
- difficulty when biting or chewing
- teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

For those children who have clear indications for early orthodontic intervention, treatment helps to:

- guide growth of the jaws
- regulate the width of the jaws to alleviate crowding
- create space for erupting permanent teeth
- reduce the risk of trauma (accidents) to the protruded upper teeth
- correct harmful habits such as finger / thumb sucking
- help manage speech problems
- lessen the probability for impacted teeth (teeth under the gums that are unable to erupt)
- improve the child’s personal appearance and self esteem

An orthodontic screening enables the orthodontist to detect and evaluate problems (if any), advise if treatment will be necessary, and determine the best time for treatment. Often, the orthodontist will inform the parents that no treatment is necessary at that particular time. But, many children can benefit from early orthodontic intervention.

For more information or to schedule a free consult with Dr. Gluck, call us at (770) 664-6003.

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