Orthodontic Treatment for
Kids
According to the American Association
of Orthodontists (AAO), kids should have their first
consultation with an orthodontist at age seven. Not all kids are ready for treatment at this
age
but it allows Dr. Mendlik to determine whether your child will need orthodontic treatment
now or
in the future.
By the time kids are seven, most have a mixture of baby and permanent teeth, which makes
it
easier to diagnose and correct more severe issues. The goal of early orthodontic treatment
is to
correct the growth of the jaw and certain issues with a child’s bite, like an underbite,
sooner and
without the need for surgery. Early treatment will also help make room for permanent teeth
to
come in as they should and reduce the likelihood of extractions in the future.
Early treatment most commonly involves an orthodontic appliance such as a palate
expander or
partial braces. Early treatment does not eliminate the need for later treatment once all the
permanent teeth are in, which is why it is often referred to as Phase One treatment.
Following
the first phase of treatment your child will enter a growth and development period, during
which
Dr. Mendlik will monitor their growth and how the permanent teeth are erupting.
A second phase of treatment typically begins around the age of 12, once all the
permanent
teeth have erupted. Second phase treats all the upper and lower teeth to establish an ideal
balance between the teeth and jaws to create a functional and healthy bite, resulting in a
beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
Contact our office today at 402-334-2000 to schedule a
complimentary initial consultation for
your child!
Correct crossbites
Improve facial asymmetries
Helping to avoid extractions of permanent teeth
Making later treatment easier, cheaper and faster
Making space for the adult teeth to come in properly
Reduce the likelihood the patient will need surgery
Alleviate crowding that’s blocking permanent teeth from erupting
Preventing tooth impaction