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.

How are early orthodontic treatment for children and traditional orthodontics different?
Early orthodontics helps lay the foundation for permanent teeth. Where traditional orthodontics typically doesn't begin until all permanent teeth have erupted, early orthodontics begins when there are still baby teeth present.

Can my child's teeth straighten themselves as permanent teeth come in?
While some shifting may occur, teeth will not grow straight if there isn't enough space in the mouth, which is often what happens once molars start to erupt. In these instances, we often suggest braces for kids.

What makes early ortho more beneficial than orthodontics as an adult?
Early orthodontics takes into account what will happen in the mouth as a person ages. Therefore we can work to avoid tooth extraction, surgery, and the like. If a person waits to have orthodontics until after all their baby teeth have fallen out (around age 13), the jaw bones will have stopped growing, and the treatment will take longer and could result in tooth extraction.

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.