Your Orthodontic Journey: Questions Uncovered

When you make the appointment for the first visit, be sure to inform the person who makes your appointment if your child has special needs, and explain what the needs are. This way, the doctor and staff can prepare for your child’s visit and make it as pleasant and comfortable for him/her as possible. If your child’s special needs are such that the doctor is unable to  accommodate your child, you will be informed when making the appointment. The orthodontist may be able to provide a suggestion to a colleague who would be able to accommodate your child’s special needs.

The orthodontist will talk to you about when it will be most advantageous for your child to begin treatment, and the type of treatment that is recommended. For some children, early intervention (while some baby teeth are present) may be in their best interests. Different people have different kinds of problems, so other children may get the greatest benefit from treatment by waiting until most or all of the permanent teeth are in. Everything depends upon the individual and what is best for them.

If the orthodontist recommends a “wait and see” approach, your child’s growth and development will be assessed periodically, and treatment can be timed to take advantage of predictable stages of growth. For some patients, the orthodontist will be able to achieve treatment results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Yes.

Five essential questions are generally covered during the first exam:

• Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
• What are the options to correct the problem?
• Is there a possibility teeth will need to be removed?
• How long is the recommended treatment expected to take?
• How much will the recommended treatment cost?

No. Your child should experience no discomfort during the visit.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7. By that age, a child will have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and the orthodontist will be able to recognize orthodontic problems (“malocclusions”) even in their earliest stages.

If your child is younger than 7, and you notice something that appears “off,” it’s not necessary to wait until your child turns 7 or get a recommendation from your dentist to get a first check-up. If your child is 8 or older, it is not too late for a check-up with an orthodontist.

Use Find an Orthodontist to locate an AAO orthodontist near you. Through the service, you can call an AAO orthodontist’s office, or send an e-mail to schedule a check-up.

No. Parents may be the first to realize that something is “off” about their child’s teeth or jaws. If you have a concern, contact an AAO orthodontist to schedule a visit. Many AAO orthodontists offer such check-ups at no cost and with no obligation.

Consider seeking a second opinion with an AAO orthodontist, who is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthodontic problems. While there is some instruction regarding orthodontics in dental school, it is minimal. It is in the post-dental school orthodontic residency program that orthodontists receive intense instruction to learn proper, safe tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). These extra years of school make the orthodontist the specialist in moving teeth and aligning jaws. This is the only focus of their practice.

No. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, could make correction of some orthodontic problems more difficult. Some things cannot be accomplished once the face and jaws are no longer growing.