Orthodontic Treatment May Be In Your Child’s Future

Many children with crowded and/or crooked get their teeth straightened with help from clear aligners, metal braces or clear braces. In other instances, their teeth are straight, but their lower and upper jaws align poorly with each other. A pediatric dentist (pedodontist) refers those children to orthodontists, who are dentists with additional schooling in how to properly align teeth. 

Everyone at the office of Christina Mercurio, DDS is enthusiastic about treating your child’s oral health. It’s as important to us as it is to you and your youngster. In addition to our first-class, comprehensive dental care, we also have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which each youngster and his or her parents will feel at ease.

Straight teeth will give your child a stunning smile, but they also offer a healthier mouth. Abnormal bites have the potential to spark further oral problems such as jaw problems, tooth decay, gum disease, enamel erosion, the loss of teeth, and abnormal speech and chewing patterns. 

Abnormal bites become apparent usually between ages 6 and 12, which is why orthodontic treatment often starts between 8 and 14. Treatment while a child’s jaw is still developing produces the best results. 

The treatment timeframe is based on his (or her) condition. The usual course is from one to three years. Immediately after the therapy, patients wear a retainer to keep their teeth in place. The orthodontist decides how long a retainer must be worn. 

The aesthetics of orthodontic appliances have come a long way since the days when “railroad tracks” were the norm. Your child’s method of treatment will depend on the degree of his needs and which system will be the most effective way to accomplish the mission. 

The office of Christina Mercurio, DDS has sophisticated and leading-edge equipment that will give us an overall view of every aspect of your child’s mouth and teeth. We set up all of our patients for a lifetime of excellent oral health. Please contact us today for an appointment.