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How To Know If Your Child Needs Orthodontics

Posted on by People Practice

Determining whether your child needs orthodontic treatment is an important consideration, and there are certain signs to look out for. While there isn’t a specific age to commence orthodontic care, around seven years old is when many permanent teeth have developed sufficiently, and the jaw is established enough to identify any existing or potential issues.

 

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Getting orthodontic treatment during childhood offers several advantages, such as shorter treatment duration, fewer impacted permanent teeth, and a reduced likelihood of tooth removal. This is achieved by:

 

  • Guiding teeth into desired positions early on
  • Minimizing crowding and creating room for erupting teeth
  • Guiding jaw growth
  • Correcting the effects of oral habits like thumb and finger sucking

 

Signs to Watch For

To determine if your child may benefit from orthodontics, pay attention to the following signs:

 

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting into food
  • Grinding and/or clenching of teeth
  • Mouth breathing
  • Speech difficulties
  • Thumb or other finger sucking habit
  • Crowding, misplacement, or blocking of teeth
  • Jaw shifts or jaw noises like popping
  • Protruding teeth
  • Biting the inside of the cheek
  • Teeth meeting abnormally or not meeting at all
  • Jaw and teeth proportions appearing disproportionate to the face

 

It’s essential to note that these signs don’t guarantee the necessity of treatment but suggest that an orthodontic evaluation may be beneficial.

 

Schedule an Evaluation

If you suspect your child may benefit from orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schneider and the team at Central Park Orthodontics. Call us at (303) 316-7846 or click below to contact us.

A Parent’s Guide to Braces and Invisalign

Posted on by Admin

 

One of the questions we get asked the most from parents and patients is: “which is better: Braces or Invisalign?” 

It’s a hard question to answer because so much depends on each patient and their specific needs. That’s why at Central Park Orthodontics we prioritize spending time with you and listening to your needs and goals. That’s what helps us land on the best possible treatment plan for each unique patient who comes to see us for orthodontics. 

Let’s talk about some of the different treatment options that we offer at Central Park Orthodontics and the differences between them. Traditional metal or clear braces are the most commonly recognized and can be a great choice. There’s minimal involvement from the patient’s perspective except for avoiding foods that can damage brackets and wires, and brushing really well is a top priority. Braces are also great for patients who simply aren’t going to wear aligners for 22 hours a day. And that’s okay! You’ll come to us every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and we’ll be on our way to a straighter smile in no time. 

On the other hand, clear aligners are an excellent alternative for patients that are good at keeping to a schedule and the list of foods to avoid while in treatment is much smaller. They’re also a great choice if you know brushing is already an issue – which makes braces more challenging. It’s harder to reach those nooks and crannies when the brackets and wires are in place. 

If we feel that one would be a better option for any reason, we’ll let you know why and we’ll talk through everything in detail together. In most cases both treatment options are efficient and effective at giving your child their ideal smile, and making parents smile along the way. 

Our goal at Central Park Orthodontics is to create beautiful, healthy smiles for our patients that will be valued for a lifetime. With leading orthodontic care, flexible scheduling, and affordable treatment options, you’ll achieve your smile dream in no time! Click below to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Click Here To Schedule Your Complimentary Smile Exam!