Early Orthodontic Treatment

Are you considering an early orthodontic treatment for your child? Choosing the right orthodontist in London is key to achieving the best clinical results and ensuring your child feels comfortable, confident, and supported through their orthodontic journey.

At Boston Orthodontics, we have decades of experience working with children of all ages, including those who aren’t so keen on dental visits. Our friendly and experienced team will take a gentle and patient-focused approach to make sure your child is relaxed and at ease from the moment they walk through our doors.

What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment is an umbrella term that is used to define a range of orthodontic treatments designed to address dental and jaw issues in children, most commonly before all of their permanent teeth have erupted.

These treatments are crucial in supporting healthy oral development by identifying and correcting potential problems at an early age – no matter how mild or insignificant they might appear at first.

What Age Should a Child See an Orthodontist?

At Boston Orthodontics, we recommend parents schedule their child’s first visit with us by the age of 7. At this stage, enough permanent teeth have usually erupted to allow our orthodontists to identify potential issues with jaw growth, bite alignment, and tooth positioning.

Taking your child for an orthodontic assessment doesn’t always mean that they’ll need braces for kids or another early treatment. It just allows you and your child’s orthodontist to monitor their teeth and jaw development over time and intervene with a treatment if and when it becomes necessary.

Taking this proactive approach ensures that any concerns are addressed at the most appropriate stage of development, which gives your child the best possible chance of having a beautiful and healthy smile as they grow into adulthood.

Signs Your Child May Benefit
From Early Orthodontic Treatment

Being able to spot the signs early is key to giving your children the dental care they deserve. Some of the most common indicators that your child can benefit from early orthodontic treatment include:

They’ve lost their baby teeth too early or too late
Their teeth are crowded, crooked, or overlapping
They are having difficulty biting or chewing food
They have a crossbite, overbite, or underbite
They are mouth breathing or regularly snoring
Their jaws appear misaligned or shift when opening or closing
They have teeth that protrude or are spaced far apart

It’s important to note that not all children with these signs will require early treatment. To know for sure, your child should be assessed by an experienced orthodontist who can recommend the most appropriate next steps.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Children who need early orthodontic treatment can benefit from one in several key ways, both in the short term and as they grow into adulthood. Some of the key benefits of early orthodontic treatment include:

Prevents Complex Issues in the Future

An early orthodontic treatment can help identify and address developing issues before they become severe and more difficult to treat. By correcting common issues such as crowding, bite misalignment, and jaw discrepancies early on, we can greatly reduce the likelihood of more complex and lengthy orthodontic treatments later in your child’s life.

Guides Jaw Development

Early orthodontic treatment can help guide the proper development of your child’s jaws. This is key to ensuring that your child has better bite alignment and facial balance as they grow into adulthood.

Reduced Risk of Injury

If your child has protruding front teeth, they are more vulnerable to chips or trauma, especially if they choose to participate in sports where there is a lot of contact. Undergoing an early treatment will reposition these teeth, which will lower the risk of accidental injury.

Corrects Harmful Habits

Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting are some of the most common habits that young children develop. Though they can be soothing in their own ways, these habits can negatively affect your child’s tooth alignment and jaw development. Intervening early can help correct or reduce the impact of these habits before the damage is done.

Improves Oral Hygiene

Straight and perfectly aligned teeth are easier to clean effectively. As a result, your child will have a far easier time brushing and flossing their teeth, which will greatly reduce the risk of decay and gum problems over the course of their life.

Types of Early Orthodontic Treatments

There are several different types of early orthodontic treatments that your child can benefit from, depending on their specific dental and jaw development needs. Some of the most popular treatments include:

Functional Appliances

Functional appliances help guide jaw growth in children, particularly when the upper and lower jaws are not developing in harmony. These removable or fixed devices are often used to address overbites, underbites, and jaw alignment issues during the growth phase.

Palatal Expanders

Palatal expanders are used when the upper jaw is too narrow. They are designed to widen the palate gently over time, which can help correct crossbites and create space for incoming permanent teeth. That way, the teeth have enough room to erupt in the correct positions, which greatly reduces the risk of crowding or misalignment later on.

Partial Braces or Early Aligners

If your child faces specific orthodontic issues, such as when only a few of their teeth are significantly misaligned or when early bite problems are beginning to develop, partial braces or early aligners are highly recommended. They’ll not only prevent the issues from worsening but will often reduce the length or complexity of future orthodontic treatments.

Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Right for Every Child?

An early orthodontic treatment isn’t necessary for every child. While some children can greatly benefit from an early intervention, others may be better suited to ongoing monitoring and starting their treatment later on, once their permanent teeth have erupted.

The best way to determine the right approach for your child is to get them booked in with an experienced orthodontist for an assessment. As one of the leading early orthodontic treatment specialists in London, we have a lot of experience working with children across all age groups.

We’ll not only make your child’s visit an enjoyable experience, but also give you, as the parent, some peace of mind by providing clear guidance and honest recommendations based on your child’s individual needs.

Early Orthodontic Treatment in London

Whether your child needs braces, early aligners, or another form of early orthodontic care, our team is here to provide you with expert guidance and support at every stage of your child’s orthodontic journey.

From initial assessment to carefully planned treatment and ongoing monitoring, our focus is always set on achieving the best possible outcome for your child, regardless of how straightforward or complex their individual case might be.

If you’re considering an early orthodontic treatment in London for your child, give our team a call at 07767 270 053 or send an email to [email protected] to schedule your child for an assessment.

Is Early Orthodontic Treatment Right for Every Child?

Early Orthodontic Treatment in London

If you’re considering an early orthodontic treatment in London for your child, give our team a call at 07767 270 053 or send an email to [email protected] to schedule your child for an assessment.

What to Expect During an Early Orthodontic Assessment

An early orthodontic assessment serves two key purposes: to evaluate how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and identify any potential problems before they become more complex and difficult to address. To give you a better idea of what you can expect, during a typical early orthodontic assessment, we will:

Examine your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment
Assess how the jaws are growing and how permanent teeth are developing
Identify early signs of crowding, crossbites, bite problems, and spacing issues
Take X-rays if needed to get a clearer view of your child’s tooth development
Discuss any concerns you may have about your child’s oral health
Explain potential next steps, treatment options, and expected outcomes

Why Choose Boston Orthodontics for Early Treatment?

At Boston Orthodontics, your child’s oral health is our number one priority. Whether they’re dealing with crowding, jaw development issues, or you’re concerned about the alignment of their bite, we have the experience and expertise to provide clear guidance and effective early treatment for your child that’ll be tailored to their individual needs.

Other reasons why you should choose Boston Orthodontics for an early treatment include:

We’ve provided effective early treatment to hundreds of children over the last 25 years
We work with some of the best and most experienced orthodontists in London
We take a gentle approach to help even the most nervous children feel at ease
Every treatment plan is carefully tailored to suit your child’s stage of development
Honesty, professionalism, and complete transparency sit at the heart of everything we do

FAQs About Early Orthodontic Treatment

Does early orthodontic treatment replace braces later?

An early orthodontic treatment doesn’t necessarily replace the need for braces later on, but it can make future treatments shorter, simpler, and a lot more effective. So, if your child needs an early treatment before they grow older, early intervention can help address any underlying issues while their teeth and jaws are still growing.

Is early orthodontic treatment painful?

Early orthodontic treatments aren’t usually painful. Some children may experience mild discomfort, especially at the beginning or when new adjustments are made over the course of the treatment. The discomfort is typically described as a feeling of pressure rather than pain and usually settles within a few days.

How long does early treatment last?

The duration of an early orthodontic treatment largely depends on the type of treatment required and your child’s individual dental development. In most cases, a standard early treatment will last anywhere from several months to about a year.

Can early orthodontics improve breathing?

Absolutely. In some children, particularly those with a narrow upper jaw or bite-related issues, early orthodontic treatment can help improve breathing by addressing these structural problems while the child is still growing.

Is early orthodontic treatment available on the NHS in London?

Yes, but only in certain cases. NHS orthodontic treatments are available to children and young people under the age of 18, but only if they meet specific clinical criteria and show a clear need for treatment. In addition to that, there are waiting times, which are usually around 2 years in most areas.

That’s why many parents in London who don’t want to wait or don’t meet the NHS criteria go down the private route, which offers greater flexibility, little to no waiting time, and access to a wider range of treatment options.