Class 1 early treatment

Here at Class 1 Orthodontics we have worked hard to create an orthodontic environment where everyone is made to feel welcome, and that includes our younger patients. We want to ensure children feel comfortable visiting our clinic because it’s important they learn early on the value of looking after their teeth.

We’re not the only ones who think that though. The Australian Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends children see an orthodontist at the age of seven. Giving your child’s teeth the best start in life will come with many benefits, including a beautifully straight smile for the rest of their lives!

Orthodontic treatment for children

You may be wondering why the AAO recommends children visit an orthodontist so early. Here’s what we tell our patients.

Children’s teeth and jaws are very soft, which is why orthodontic treatment is so common among this age group.
It is easier to move a child’s teeth with less pressure so the overall treatment experience is more comfortable.

But that’s not to say every child who comes in to see us requires treatment. Basically, that early consultation with a specialist orthodontist is a way to future-proof your child’s smile. By the age of seven, the first adult molars are present and this is crucial because they form the back bite. We are able to evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships and start to address any issues.

It’s unlikely your child will need to have orthodontic treatment at the age of seven, but it’s the ideal age for the examination and monitoring period to occur.

Invisalign First for future smiles

If we believe your child could benefit from preliminary orthodontic treatment while they have a mixture of baby and adult teeth, we could fit them with custom-made Invisalign aligners. You may have heard of this revolutionary orthodontic treatment that enables teens and adults to straighten their teeth using these virtually invisible aligners.

Now, younger patients can enjoy the same discreet treatment. Invisalign’s version of its effective aligners, known as Invisalign First, are designed for use during Phase 1 treatment. At this stage of treatment, children usually require arch expanders or partial metal braces. Now we can fit them with custom-made aligners that are comfortable to wear and will prepare them for orthodontic treatment later on.

Benefits of early orthodontic evaluations

Not only is early orthodontic evaluation better from a timing perspective, it might also save you money! At this stage, we can guide your child’s dental growth and development, ultimately preventing serious problems later in life. By identifying these problems early, less treatment is required, which means less cost for you.

If we are able to address your child’s orthodontic issues early then we may be able to intercept some of the following:

Crowding
Tooth removal
Long orthodontic treatment times
Trauma to protruding front teeth

We will work with you and your child to make their orthodontic experience fun. Our staff love to have a good time while achieving great results for your child’s teeth. And we’re always happy to answer any questions you and your child have about orthodontics – we know you’ll have a few.

So what are you waiting for? Book your child in for an early orthodontic consultation with the friendly team at Class 1 Orthodontics and start them on the road to a smile that will last a lifetime.