First Orthodontic Visit West Boylston

When should my child first see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Identifying developing bite or alignment concerns early can give the orthodontist more options while the jaw is still growing. In some cases, early intervention can make treatment simpler and less invasive, potentially reducing the need for tooth extractions, jaw surgery, or more complex care later on.

What Happens at an Orthodontic Evaluation here in West Boylston?

During your child’s first orthodontic visit, we will examine their teeth, gums, jaw development, bite, facial growth, and oral hygiene. If current X-rays are unavailable or do not show the angles needed for a complete evaluation, we may take additional images. This allows our team to closely assess tooth positioning, jaw alignment, and the overall development of your child’s mouth and face. If we identify concerns that could benefit from early attention, we may recommend treatment or continued monitoring.

It may also be a good idea to schedule an orthodontic evaluation if your child shows any of the signs listed below.

Lost their baby teeth earlier or later than expected – Note: Children typically begin losing their baby teeth around age five
Has Crowded Teeth
Sucks on their thumb after age five
Has teeth that don’t come together normally
Displays any speech impediments
Has trouble chewing or biting
Has protruding teeth
Experiences a shifting of the jaw when opening or closing their mouth

What are the various bite issues that we look for?

Three common West Boyltson malocclusions (bite problems) are crossbite, crowding, and impacted teeth.

Crossbite

A crossbite exists where the top teeth and bottom teeth do not come together or bite in the correct position. Instead, the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. If the back teeth are affected, the upper teeth sit inside of bottom teeth, and this is referred to as a posterior crossbite. One or more top teeth sit behind the bottom teeth in an anterior crossbite. This should not be confused with an underbite, where the top teeth are located behind the bottom teeth, and the bottom jaw is pushed strongly forward.

Crowding

Overcrowding of teeth is when there is not enough space in your mouth for your permanent teeth to grow straight, which can cause misalignment of your bite and teeth.

Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not fully erupt above the gums. This is typically caused by overcrowding; your jaw is too small for all of your teeth, or the tooth is erupting in the wrong direction. Not all impacted teeth require oral surgery.

What Orthodontic Treatments Are Available In West Boylston?

We provide many different orthodontic treatment options which are personalized to the specific situation of each patient. There are times when several options may be available, while some treatments may have only one. Each plan is based on the patient’s age, their activities, the underlying orthodontic issue being treated, and other factors such as cost.