Finding the Right Time to Start
As a parent in or around York, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a comfortable, well-aligned smile for years to come.
Get a Head Start on Oral Health
Dr. Pedersen’s goal is to treat your children as if they were his own, by providing them with the best possible orthodontic care and a child-friendly, fun atmosphere.
If Dr. Pedersen determines that your child will need orthodontic treatment at a later date, they will be placed into our free Orthodontic Supervisory Program!
Close to 20% of kids between the ages of 7 and 10 need early treatment for major issues involving their bite, permanent teeth that are not erupting correctly, or overcrowding.
Don’t fret if your little one needs early treatment, though: early treatment can resolve problems before major issues develop and shorten the second phase of treatment that’s usually necessary once their adult teeth are in.
To have a long-lasting and healthy smile, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned—in other words, a healthy bite.
The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Andrew Pedersen recommend that your child should get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. By then, your child's teeth have developed enough for Dr. Pedersen to spot any subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
Your first check-up may reveal that your child's bite is okay and braces aren't necessary. We’ll never start treatment before it’s required.
Dr. Pedersen may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development.
They will then begin treatment when orthodontic and developmental cues indicate that it’s an appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Pedersen might find a problem he can address through early treatment.
What Is Early Treatment?
Also known as Phase 1 treatment, early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Dr. Pedersen will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
What's the Orthodontic Supervisory Program?
The orthodontic supervisory program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth.
Sometimes, poor erupted patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth and reduce the treatment time required for braces. We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit.
We normally see the patients on recall every six to eight months to observe their progress as they grow. There is no fee for this program and it helps Dr. Pedersen determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible results for your child.
How to Choose the Perfect Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.
If Dr. Pedersen thinks your child will need treatment, they will let you know when it would be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If you would like to bring your child in to Andrew Pedersen Orthodontics for an evaluation, please contact our York office to set up a free consultation.
Dr. Pedersen would love to discuss your child's orthodontic options with you to develop a treatment plan that’s customized to your child's specific needs and goals.