At Creekwood Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing high quality, expert orthodontic care in a fun, friendly, and easy-going environment. Dr. Dorsch, a highly trained orthodontic specialist and our team of certified assistants strive to form an in depth relationship with each one of our patients, and with years of experience working with children, we know how to make a trip to the orthodontist’s office a pleasant experience for everyone involved.
One of the most common questions we hear from parents is when they should first bring their child in to see us. We love this question, because it shows that the parents are thinking about their child’s orthodontic health from a young age – something crucially important for the development of a beautiful, healthy smile.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child’s first visit with us occur by age 7. While 80% of these patients do not need care at this age, we can however diagnose significant skeletal and dental relationships at this time and prevent the extraction of teeth while the parent can make a more informed decision on future orthodontic care. Starting the orthodontic monitoring process early can save time and money later on.
During your child’s first visit we will perform a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation, which includes a CAT Scan (kansascitydentalscanimaging.com). We will then determine if there are any common problems, such as the potential for overcrowding, open bite, overbite or gummy smiles that must be addressed. The Phase I treatment plan can be preventive, interceptive, or modifying growth and development, depending on what’s needed for your child. We may also place orthodontic appliances to correct any current problems or prevent future ones from occurring. This early treatment can help correct problems with tooth alignment, jaw growth, or facial development that your child may experience.
If you have questions about you or your child’s orthodontic health or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to reach out to us at our contact page or book an appointment using our easy online form. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to creating a healthy, beautiful, long-lasting smile for your child!