Early Ortho Treatment in Lancaster, PA

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, we have extensive experience providing orthodontic treatment for children and teens. Starting orthodontic care early in a child’s life is typically ideal. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, it’s recommended that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. Addressing any orthodontic concerns during this early stage can help reduce future dental problems and support healthier oral development.
Since children’s bones and teeth are still growing, early orthodontic treatment can guide proper alignment, jaw development, and permanent tooth eruption. Delaying treatment can make certain issues more challenging to correct later on, as bones are more easily adjusted at this younger age. To learn more, schedule a consultation with one of our orthodontists in Lancaster, PA today!

Early orthodontic treatment is an excellent way to help your child attain a stunning, healthy smile in their early development stages. Some of the primary advantages of early orthodontic treatment include:

• Reduced risk of future bite or other dental problems
• Boosted self-confidence
• Improved overall oral health
• Restores proper bite functionality

Typically, orthodontic conditions start around the ages 9 – 14 or after losing all the baby teeth and the adult teeth have fully grown in. However, for some younger patients, starting orthodontic treatments may be more beneficial to begin earlier in their life.

Starting at about age six, your child’s molars will start to grow and erupt. We review the position of these first molars as a baseline for your child’s orthodontic needs. We look at things, like occlusal classification, jaw and facial profile, and alignment issues. By reviewing these parts of the mouth, our orthodontists can help ensure permanent teeth have enough space to grow into. Your child may also benefit from early orthodontic intervention if they have issues, like:

• Bite problems, such as crossbites or underbites
• Teeth that stick out
• Mouth breathing or thumb-sucking issues, which cause irregular development of the upper and lower jaw

When treating these issues during the development stage, we can decrease the possibility of your child requiring more extensive treatments in the future.

If we think your child may benefit from early orthodontic care, we begin by performing low-radiation digital x-rays and 3D imaging to create impressions. We also physically assess your child’s jaw joints, facial profile, and mouth to look for basic indicators that necessitate early treatment. During this appointment, we create a personalized treatment plan, which may include orthodontic appliances, such as palatal expanders and space maintainers. These devices encourage the bones to stretch so your child experiences normal tooth eruption. If they have baby teeth that prevent adult ones from growing in, teeth extractions may be needed to accommodate the grown-up tooth. Additionally, some children may need headgear or traditional braces to meet their needs.

Based on your child’s treatment plan, we may need them to come into the office every month for adjustments to their appliances and continued monitoring. Our skilled team of dental professionals will teach your child how to floss and clean around their appliance so they can use best practices at home. If your child needs braces or a palatal expander, they may find it difficult to follow proper cleaning techniques, which may require extra support. We recommend helping them to ensure proper oral care. In some cases, patients may need additional cleaning instruments to reduce plaque accumulation around wires, brackets, and other hardware.   

In most cases, some of your child's orthodontic treatments are covered. If a treatment or procedure is necessary, our financial team will contact your provider to determine if you have any extra expenses. Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates takes many payment methods, such as low-interest financing, that could help make your child's orthodontic care a lot easier to afford.

How are early orthodontic treatment for children and traditional orthodontics different?
Early orthodontic treatment at our Lancaster, PA office lays the foundation for a child's permanent teeth. The difference between early and traditional orthodontics being that traditional ortho begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, whereas early ortho begins where there are still baby teeth in the mouth.

What causes orthodontic issues?
Orthodontic issues can arise from a variety of factors, including genetics, which play a significant role in determining the structure of the jaw and teeth alignment. Bad habits such as thumb sucking, prolonged use of a pacifier, and incorrect swallowing can also influence the development of the teeth and jaw. Environmental factors, like early loss of baby teeth, accidents, or specific health conditions, can further contribute to the need for orthodontic treatment.

What are the most common early ortho issues?
The most common early orthodontic issues include overcrowding, crossbites, overbites or underbites, open bites, and spacing problems. Addressing these concerns early can support healthier dental development and prevent future complications.

Can my child's teeth straighten themselves as permanent teeth come in?
Teeth will shift a bit; however, they will not grow straight unless there is enough space in the mouth, which typically is not the case once molars start erupting. In situations where there isn't enough space in the mouth for teeth to go straight, we often suggest braces.

If my child undergoes early ortho treatment, will they still need braces later on?
Early orthodontic treatment can help prevent future complications and create room for permanent teeth, but it doesn’t always eliminate the need for braces later on. Many children still need braces as teens to fine-tune alignment and bite issues.

What makes early ortho more beneficial than orthodontics as an adult?
One of the main benefits of early orthodontics at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates is it takes into consideration what will happen inside the mouth as the patient ages. That means we can preplan as a way to avoid extracting teeth, performing surgery, and more. If orthodontics doesn't happen until all the baby teeth have fallen out (around 13 years old), the jaw has likly stopped growing, treatment will take longer, and the chances of an extraction are higher.

Help your child achieve a beautiful, healthy smile from a young age! At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our experienced orthodontic team is dedicated to providing supportive, positive care for families throughout Lancaster, PA. By addressing orthodontic concerns early, we can help reduce the risk of major functional issues that can impact your child’s oral health and comfort. If you’re curious about how early orthodontic treatment can make a difference, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us today and give your child’s smile the best start possible.