If you are looking into orthodontic care for your son or daughter, then you also need to know about dentofacial orthopedics.

That last term may be new to you, but it is an integral part of what we do at all of our Indiana locations. It’s also why an orthodontist is your best bet for creating a smile that your child will want to share for decades to come.

Today, we’ll discuss what dentofacial orthopedics are and how they could make a difference for someone you care about. Call 219-809-6584 (Michigan City) 219-841-7795 (Portage) 219-440-6512 (St. John)  today get started with an evaluation at Orthodontic Alliances.

When Should Your Child Visit the Orthodontist

If you said 12 or 13, you’re partly right.

You should bring your children for an examination and evaluation around her or his 7th birthday, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.

Why is that? Doesn’t your child still have baby teeth at that age?

While it’s true that children do not have close to all their permanent teeth by age 7, it’s also true that trained orthodontists, like our own Drs. Schmidt, can tell a lot about how your child’s teeth and mouth are developing.

For many children, the evaluation is an opportunity to see how things are coming along. For other children, this is a chance to determine if early intervention could be beneficial.

By starting treatment now, your child may be able to avoid orthodontic care when he or she is older. Similarly, early treatment can make orthodontic treatment more effective when it is still needed.

What are Dentofacial Orthopedics?

When you think of orthodontics, what comes to mind? You probably think of braces or some other service used to change the position of someone’s teeth.

Dentofacial orthopedics is focused on the development of the bones of the jaw and face. If someone has a small jaw, that can be the source of overcrowding of her teeth. If someone has an abnormality, this could prevent an adult tooth from erupting like it should.

Through dentofacial orthopedics, we can intervene as the mouth and jaw are still developing. We can use a variety of tools to guide the growth of the jaw and mouth to create room for teeth to erupt like they should. This can prevent overcrowding or impacted teeth.

Taking these steps will also reduce the likelihood that your child might need surgical intervention when she or he gets older.

Dentofacial orthopedics can be used for adults as well, but they are most effective when someone’s mouth and jaw are still growing and changing.

Let Us Take a Look

Most children don’t need this kind of intervention, even ones we know will need braces when they get a little older. At the same time, we know how beneficial this kind of care can be for many kids.

For this reason, one of the best things you can do for your child’s oral health is to set up an appointment with us at any of our Indiana locations. You can contact Orthodontic Alliances online or call 219-809-6584 (Michigan City) 219-841-7795 (Portage) 219-440-6512 (St. John) .