While it may seem excessive to have a seven-year-old child in braces, treating development issues early, allows the orthodontist to prevent more serious problems from developing later on.
Certain issues, such as crossbites which can lead to tooth and bone damage, can be resolved better if caught early. Similarly, widening the maxillary dental arch with a palatal expansion to ensure that the upper jaw matches the width of the lower jaw is better achieved early on and can prevent further dental issues and pain down the road. Cases where the lower jaw protrudes is also important and more effective to be addressed at an early age.
As kids grow steadily at the age of seven, treatment will be easier and more effective than attempting braces at a later phase of development.
Other benefits of early treatment include decrease in the risk of trauma to the mouth that can happen when the front teeth protrude, the ability to cease bad oral habits early and the improvement of a child’s appearance, as jaw issues often affect the shape of the face and how lips meet.
Only when seeing patients at young age will the orthodontist have the chance to best help guide jaw growth and tooth movement so that permanent teeth move into the correct position.
Each patient is different so treatment approaches may vary, but by scheduling an early orthodontic evaluation, you can feel confident that you are doing the best for your child.