Early Treatment

If a person needs orthodontic treatment, there is a list of things that need to be done to bring the person’s best and healthiest smile front and center. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should take place at the first sign of orthodontic concerns or by the age of 7. Treatment may not be necessary at this time, but this exam can tell you the best time to begin treatment and gives Dr. Duffy the opportunity to work with your general dentist to provide you the best dental health.

Early evaluation gives you and Dr. Duffy options down the road; finding out if there are problems now gives him more options and can prevent more serious — and potentially more expensive — problems later.

Early treatment is good for:

• Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
• Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
• Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• Preserving space for unerupted teeth
• Reducing the need for tooth removal
• Reducing treatment time with braces