First Orthodontic Visit Worcester

When should my child first see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child should get an orthodontic screening no later than age 7.
Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected early rather than waiting until jaw growth has slowed. In fact, many successful and less invasive treatments completely depend on the growth spurt for optimal correction. Early treatment may mean a patient will avoid surgery, adult tooth extraction or other more serious treatment needs later in life.

Proudly serving orthodontic care to the children of Worcester, Holden, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, Millbury, Auburn, and Leicester, MA.

What Happens at an Orthodontic Evaluation here in Worcester?

At that first visit, we will evaluate your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and oral hygiene. We will look at your child’s teeth, face, and jaws to determine proper growth and development. X-rays may be given if recent ones aren’t available or don’t provide the correct angels necessary for evaluation. We are explicitly looking at tooth placement, bite and jaw alignment, and the overall development of the mouth and face. We may recommend early treatment If any issues are noticed.

Additionally, If your child displays any of the characteristics below, it’s good to schedule an orthodontic check with us.

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 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?

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.