Early Ortho Treatment in Wyomissing, PA

Our team of specialists at Grove Dental Group and Orthodontics recommends that children undergo an orthodontic evaluation when they are around seven years of age. While ortho treatment is not always necessary this early in life, this type of assessment will allow us to better understand if your child has future orthodontic needs and establish appropriate treatment timing. When your son or daughter visits with us for an orthodontic evaluation, we will examine their teeth, jaw, and eruption pattern and screen for any concerns with spacing, tooth alignment, and their bite (how the top and bottom teeth fit together). To learn more about receiving early orthodontic care in the Wyomissing or Reading, PA area, get in touch with our friendly team today!

Early orthodontic treatment, also known as an interceptive treatment, can allow us to properly identify treatment needs and perform certain aspects of care while the jaws are still developing. This can make certain that orthodontic processes are easier and more efficient and may minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic care down the road. In some cases, we may monitor a child's orthodontic condition until treatment timing is ideal. Children who are good candidates for early orthodontic treatment may show signs of orthodontic abnormalities involving their jaw, bite, or tooth development and positioning, including:

• Crowding
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite
• Crossbite
• Overjet
• Excessive spacing
• Abnormal eruption
• Protruded teeth
• Congenitally missing teeth
• Supernumerary (extra) teeth

During your child's initial orthodontic consultation, our orthodontists will take digital x-rays, photos, and 3D intraoral scans of their jaw and perform a thorough exam of their teeth and bite. We also use the permanent first molars, which typically erupt around age six, as markers to help us determine bite alignment and whether orthodontic care may be needed in the near or distant future. Early orthodontics for children may include a range of treatments or appliances to correct bite issues or guide proper jaw development. Some of these may include space maintainers, palatal expanders, headgear, retainers, and braces. In some cases, extractions may be needed to create space for tooth eruption and to alleviate conditions, like crowding. Our team will provide a treatment outline for your child and answer any questions you have regarding their oral health and orthodontic needs.

Depending on your child's needs, you may need to bring your son or daughter in for regularly scheduled appointments throughout the early ortho treatment process. Our team will provide instructions on how to best care for their teeth at home each day and talk with you about any foods or habits to avoid. The timeframe for early orthodontic treatment varies according to individual needs but may last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. Early interceptive care may be followed up by other types of orthodontic services, including traditional braces or Invisalign, to help your child enjoy a well-aligned, attractive, and healthy smile.

A portion of your child's orthodontic treatments may be covered under your dental insurance plan. After reviewing your insurance benefits, our financial coordinator will provide you with an estimate of any out-of-pocket expenses and can help you choose a convenient payment solution. Grove Dental Group and Orthodontics is a provider for several dental insurance plans and works with reputable financing partners to offer interest-free options to Wyomissing and Reading, PA families.

By identifying orthodontic concerns and developing a treatment plan early on, our children's orthodontic specialists can help guide your child's jaw development and facilitate proper eruption. This can help optimize oral function for your child's bite and minimize treatment needs in the future. To learn more about early orthodontic care from a trusted Wyomissing and Reading, PA team, contact Grove Dental Group and Orthodontics to schedule an initial orthodontic evaluation today.