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Early treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child should see an orthodontist around the age of 7, unless a problem is evident earlier. Not all children need treatment at this age. There are specific indications for treatment, and having an evaluation by Drs. Kristal and Forche, at no charge, will determine if and when the most appropriate time would be to initiate treatment.

Some of the most direct results of early, interceptive treatment include: creating room for crowded, erupting teeth, creating facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth, reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, preserving space for teeth that are coming in, reducing the need for tooth removal, and reducing the treatment time in braces later in life.

Some conditions that may indicate the need for an orthodontic evaluation are:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
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  • Speech difficulties
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  • Difficulty with chewing or biting
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  • Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
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  • Mouth breathing
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  • Facial imbalance
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  • Jaws that shift or make sounds
  • Severe thumb (or finger) sucking habit
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  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
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    Additionally, the following pictures show malocclusions or "bad bites" in growing children that may benefit from an early diagnosis and treatment by Drs. Kristal and Forche.

    Crossbite of front teeth Crossbite of back teeth
    Crossbite of front teeth Crossbite of back teeth
    Crowding Open bite
    Crowding Open bite
    Protrusion Deep bite
    Protrusion Deep bite
    Underbite Spacing
    Underbite Spacing
    Oral habits
    Oral habits