38 Give Your Child A Reason To Smile! For many adults who had braces as a child or teenager, the idea of orthodontics may recall an awkward phase – bulky appliances and years spent anxiously awaiting the day they would be free of their metal mouth. Thanks to advances in orthodontics and new treatment options for patients, children today can achieve a beautiful, healthy smile without much of the stress and anxiety their parents may have endured. With early orthodontic treatment, children can avoid more serious and lengthy treatment later in their teenage or adult years, improve their dental health, and mitigate the risk of serious damage to permanent teeth. In addition to these clinical bene��ts, children can reap the many bene��ts of improved self-esteem and greater con��dence in their smile and appearance as they approach their teenage years. It is important to note that in the state of Florida, dentists are not required to be board certi��ed to offer orthodontic treatment. At Moricz & Varone Orthodontics, our doctors are board certi��ed orthodontists with expertise in treating children. Dr. Claudia Moricz completed extensive research on early orthodontic treatment, and Dr. Karen Varone’s graduate research concentrated on patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment. When is the best time for my child to see an orthodontist? Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children are seen for an initial evaluation around age 7 when their upper permanent teeth come in. This is also around the time that the ��rst adult molars erupt, which establishes the bite in the back of the mouth. An orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and sideto side tooth relationships, diagnose any early problems and predict future issues. While not every child will need treatment at this young age, vigilant examination can determine the best time to begin treatment. Why should my child be evaluated for early treatment? Early treatment can be the most effective treatment for a variety of orthodontic problems. Some of these problems are inherited, while others can be caused by injuries, bad oral habits, or the early or late loss of baby teeth. Many orthodontic problems can be ��xed more quickly and easily at a young age when the jawbones are still growing. Some of the most direct results of early treatment include creating room for erupting teeth, creating facial symmetry through in��uencing jaw growth, reducing the risk of injury to permanent teeth, reducing treatment time with braces and aiding in cessation of habits such as thumb-sucking. �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� In Phase 1 treatment, orthodontists are able to correct common dental problems such as overjet (when the top teeth protrude past the bottom teeth), anterior and posterior crossbite (when the teeth do not line up side to side or front to back) and open bite (when the top teeth do not meet the bottom teeth). Phase 1 treatment is faster than full treatment and will set patients up for easier and more successful treatment should they require it down the line. At Moricz & Varone Orthodontics initial exams for children are always complimentary. And if your child is not ready for treatment, they will be seen regularly, at no charge, until they are. Early evaluation means you as a parent don’t need to guess when your child is ready for orthodontic treatment, possibly missing the optimal time. The esthetic difference after Phase 1 treatment can be drastic. As children approach adolescence, they bene��t from greater con��dence in their smile and overall appearance. As parents prepare for possible surly teenage years ahead, who wouldn’t want to give their child more reasons to smile!
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