Early orthodontic diagnosis and treatment of pediatric dental patients can provide many long-term benefits. Having a pediatric dentist provide an early orthodontic diagnosis will give them the chance to treat children early on, thus also allowing the patient to complete treatment sooner.
In this article, we discuss what happens when a pediatric patient is diagnosed with an orthodontic problem. An early diagnosis will also warrant early treatment, which can be seen as advantageous.
Keep reading to find out more about what a pediatric dentist can do for early orthodontic diagnosis!
For pediatric patients, the dentist will likely keep an eye out for any signs of orthodontic problems early on. These include the following:
Severe overbite: This occurs when the patient bites down and the top set of teeth hangs over the bottom set.
Severe underbite: An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. When biting down, the bottom teeth stick out farther than the top set.
Crooked baby teeth: When many of the baby teeth are grown in crookedly, the dentist may be able to make an early orthodontic diagnosis.
Uneven growth of adult teeth: Once a child begins losing their baby teeth, the adult teeth will grow in. If they are coming in unevenly, the dentist may be able to make an early diagnosis.
If any of these signs are present within the patient, the pediatric dentist will recommend a consultation with an orthodontist. The two dental professionals may work together to determine what the diagnosis is. If an early orthodontic diagnosis is confirmed, a plan for pediatric treatment will be put in place.
Each patient is different, which means their diagnosis and treatment plan will also vary. Once a child is diagnosed with an early orthodontic problem, such as an uneven bite or severely crooked teeth, the dentist will come up with a plan. Below are a few examples of what treatment may look like.
Braces: Sometimes if an early orthodontic diagnosis is made, braces can be placed even if all the adult teeth are not in yet.
Mouth guards: Pediatric dentists may recommend mouth guards to help with an uneven bite until a complete method of orthodontic treatment can take place.
Extractions: If the adult teeth are growing in unevenly or improperly, the pediatric dentist may implement extractions into the early orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan. Sometimes, there just is not enough room in the mouth for all the teeth.
If you have questions about an early pediatric orthodontic diagnosis, then reach out to our office so we can help you. Our team of pediatric dentists would be happy to discuss your child’s options. Give us a call or stop by our office today! We can address any concerns that you may have about early orthodontic treatment and other dental procedures.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics for Children in Richmond, TX.
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