When Should You Bring Your Child in for an Early Orthodontic Assessment?

You might think orthodontic visits are mainly for older kids, like teens. But younger kids can benefit from having a early orthodontic assessment done. Our orthodontists in Shawnee and Overland Park, KS, at Bulleigh Orthodontics offer these evaluations to help find issues sooner rather than later. Here’s when you should set up your child’s assessment.

Why Do Kids Need an Early Orthodontic Assessment?

Children can have issues with jaw alignment or bite that go unnoticed for years — until they start affecting their ability to eat or cause discomfort. Early evaluations help us catch these problems right away before they can turn into more severe ones.

How Old Should Kids Be for This Assessment?

Kids should have an initial evaluation done by the time they’re 7 years old. That may seem young, but keep in mind that early orthodontic treatment often starts when kids are between 7 and 10 years old.

What Kinds of Problems Do Orthodontists Check For?

We do early orthodontic assessments in Overland Park and Shawnee, KS, to check for common issues in kids, such as underbites, overbites, or other types of malocclusions. We also check for any issues with spacing or crowding. If your child sucks their thumb, we’ll look for any problems that may cause, such as tooth alignment issues.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Younger Patients?

Kids may benefit from early orthodontic treatment if we find problems with their bite or alignment. These treatments vary, but may include oral appliances, such as expanders.

Schedule Your Child’s Early Orthodontic Assessment Today!

Is your child old enough to have our orthodontists evaluate their bite and jaw? At Bulleigh Orthodontics, we offer early orthodontic assessments in Overland Park and Shawnee, KS, to catch problems early and provide timely treatment.