As your child grows, his or her dentist will keep their teeth clean and healthy. You may find that your child also needs an orthodontist, who specializes and is trained to straighten and align the teeth.
In this blog, the pediatric dentists at Park View Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will explain how to know if your child needs orthodontic care.
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Straight teeth look more attractive and can increase self-confidence, but they have benefits that go beyond the cosmetic. Crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth can cause issues such as difficulty chewing and also cause problems for adjacent teeth.
Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Depending on the type, they may be removable, or they may involve brackets that are bonded to the teeth.
They work by applying a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction. This slowly moves teeth to the proper position.
Orthodontic treatment options are far more varied and comfortable than they were in the past. Patients can opt to wear clear or metal brackets and may also be able to select the color of their orthodontic appliance. Wires are far less noticeable than in the past, and the latest materials used in orthodontic appliances are designed to move teeth into their proper position faster and with a greater degree of comfort.
How do you tell if your child needs an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children get an orthodontic checkup by age seven. Even if your child still has some baby teeth, a children’s orthodontist will be able to tell if any problems are developing. Some issues may need to be monitored over time, and many problems are easier to correct if they’re detected early.
Orthodontic problems such as teeth that are crowded or have too much space between them and jaw growth problems are just a few of the reasons to see a children’s orthodontist.
The following are some signs that your child could benefit from a visit to a children’s orthodontist:
- Protruding teeth
- Teeth that do not meet
- Teeth that meet in an irregular way
- Crowded or misplaced teeth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Difficulty with speech
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking after age five
Where can I find orthodontic care for my child in NYC?
At Park View Dentistry & Orthodontics, we recently expanded the dental care we offer with the addition of top New York City pediatric orthodontist Dr. David Zarabi to our practice.
In-office orthodontic care enables our patients to save time by having regular dental and orthodontic care in the same convenient location. It also enables their care to be seamless, collaborative, and well coordinated, since their pediatric dental team and orthodontic team all work together under the same roof.
We recognize that each child is unique, and so are his or her orthodontic needs. That’s why our pediatric dentists are committed to tailoring individualized orthodontic treatments to fit every child’s unique needs.
What can I expect at my child’s orthodontic consultation at Park View Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics?
At the initial consultation, a thorough exam will be conducted to help determine which orthodontic treatment option is best for your child. We combine a gentle approach with the latest state-of-the art technology and procedures to enable us to provide the highest level of care for each patient.
Before starting on your child’s individualized treatment plan, Dr. Zarabi will discuss all of your options and provide an estimate of how long your full course of treatment may take.
Our exceptional, personalized treatment plan will ensure that you and your family will receive the highest quality of orthodontic care and that the end result will give your child something to smile about.
Schedule a children’s orthodontist appointment today for an initial consultation.