When should you bring your child to see an orthodontist? The answer may surprise you.

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, you should bring your child for an orthodontic exam around their 7th birthday. By this age, our doctors can take a look at your child’s teeth and jaw to get an idea of how things are developing.

For most patients, nothing needs to be done just yet, but there are times when early intervention could help guide the way a child’s mouth develops. This can make traditional orthodontic treatments easier when the child is older.

To schedule an appointment at any Orthodontic Alliances location, just call the Indiana office that is closest to you:

Be Prepared

Our goal for every patient is that they will have straight teeth as part of an attractive and healthy smile.

For some lucky people, no orthodontic treatment will be needed. For many people, braces or Invisalign aligners will get their smile in shape when they are older. For others, dentofacial orthopedics can be invaluable for long-term oral health.

Genetics affect how our teeth erupt. If a child’s parents needed orthodontic treatment, that child is likely to need it, too.

The way primary teeth are aligned can be a big clue about how permanent teeth will erupt. This can help your child, you, and our team prepare for treatment as your child grows older. This can be beneficial both physically and emotionally.

Getting A Head Start

For those patients who can benefit from early intervention, we offer dentofacial orthopedics at our office. This kind of care can:

  • Guide how jaws and facial bones develop
  • Reduce the time needed to complete orthodontic treatment
  • Correct alignment issues without surgery

If your son or daughter has too much or too little bone structure, that can have a dramatic effect on their smile. Using treatments like palate expanders and spacers can make a big difference down the road.

Palate expanders are recommended for patients who have a small upper jaw. The expanders are used to make the roof of the mouth wider than it would be on its own. These apply gentle pressure to gradually change the shape of the upper jaw.

For children who have crowding issues, a spacer can add some additional room between teeth. This can affect how permanent teeth erupt, which can minimize the need for orthodontic care later in life.

If a tooth falls out earlier than expected, we can address that, too. A space maintainer can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting position. This can make it easier for the permanent tooth to emerge when its time comes.

Pay A Visit To Us

If your child’s 7th birthday is coming up, we hope you will schedule an appointment at the nearest Orthodontic Alliances location in Indiana. You can contact us online or call 219-809-6584 for Michigan City, 219-841-7795 for Portage, or 219-440-6512 for St. John.