Pediatric Orthodontic Evaluations in Washington, DC
The earlier we catch problems with your child’s bite, the simpler they are to fix. Early evaluations often lead to better results, less treatment time, and less expense for your family down the road.
Request an AppointmentThe American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist as soon as their dentist notices a potential problem, or before they turn seven years old. At this age, we may not need to do anything other than monitor your child’s mouth as it develops. However, if we continue watching your child’s growth, we can start treatment right away when the time is right.
Early intervention can be beneficial in several ways. We’ll watch how your child’s mouth and teeth grow, so if we see something that needs attention, we can act on it, and we’ll know exactly when to start treatment if it’s needed.
You may wonder why the AAO emphasizes age seven. At that age, the first adult molars are coming in and helping establish the back bite, which allows us to evaluate your child’s bite both front-to-back and side-to-side. There are many reasons to start treatment early, including the ability to:
- Make room for permanent teeth when there is overcrowding
- Help ensure facial symmetry as the jaw develops
- Reduce trauma risk when front teeth are protruding
Early treatment also reduces the need to remove teeth later and can shorten the amount of time a child needs to wear braces. While many people don’t think about orthodontic treatment until later, without an evaluation you may face issues such as:
- Crossbites, which can lead to unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear
- Open bites, which can contribute to tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments
With timely orthodontic care, on the other hand, children often experience a healthier mouth, since crowded teeth are harder to brush and more prone to cavities and gum disease, along with fewer broken teeth since protruding teeth are more likely to get damaged.
Pearson Pediatric Dentistry provides orthodontic evaluations for children and adolescents as part of routine exams. If Dr. Pearson determines your child needs orthodontic care, a referral will be provided so treatment can begin promptly.
We truly believe that orthodontic care is about more than just a pretty smile; it’s about giving your child a healthier mouth for life. If you have any questions about orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (202) 889-5200.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Evaluations
At what age should my child have their first orthodontic evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an evaluation by age seven, or sooner if your dentist notices a potential bite or spacing issue.
Does Pearson Pediatric Dentistry provide braces?
We perform orthodontic evaluations and monitor your child’s development. If treatment such as braces is needed, we will provide a referral to a trusted orthodontist.
Why does age seven matter for orthodontic evaluations?
By age seven, the first adult molars have usually come in, allowing us to evaluate your child’s bite from front-to-back and side-to-side more accurately.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
Early evaluation can help make room for permanent teeth, support facial symmetry, reduce the risk of trauma from protruding teeth, and often shortens overall treatment time.
What happens if my child doesn’t need treatment yet?
If treatment isn’t needed right away, we will simply continue to monitor your child’s bite and jaw development at future exams and start treatment exactly when it’s most beneficial.
What problems can an orthodontic evaluation catch?
An evaluation can identify issues like crossbites, open bites, overcrowding, and other bite irregularities before they become more difficult and costly to correct.
How do I schedule an orthodontic evaluation for my child?
Orthodontic evaluations are typically included as part of a routine exam. You can request an appointment through our appointments page or call us at (202) 889-5200.