Early Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child should see an orthodontist around the age of 7, unless a problem is evident earlier. Not all children need treatment at this age. There are specific indications for treatment, and having an evaluation by Dr. Golden – at no charge – will determine if and when the most appropriate time would be to initiate treatment.

Some of the most direct results of early, interceptive treatment include: creating room for crowded, erupting teeth, creating facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth, reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, preserving space for teeth that are coming in, reducing the need for tooth removal, and reducing the treatment time in braces later in life.

Some conditions that may indicate the need for an orthodontic evaluation are:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty with chewing or biting
  • Mouth breathing
  • Jaws that shift or make sounds
  • Grinding or clenching of teeth
  • Speech difficulties
  • Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
  • Facial imbalance
  • Severe thumb (or finger) sucking habit

Additionally, the following pictures show malocclusions or “bad bites” in growing children that may benefit from an early diagnosis and treatment by Dr. Golden.