When to Treat
When is the best time to see an orthodontist?
Whilst many of our patients are actually adults, the answer is we don’t treat by age; no two children are alike and growth patterns are not related to either chronological age or dental age.
Whilst there is no ideal age to begin orthodontic treatment, the Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children be screened at the age of at least 8 years of age to diagnose any possible imbalance in the growth of the facial bones and eruption of the permanent teeth.
By this age, most children will exhibit conditions that the orthodontist is able to diagnose and either correct or defer treatment for. Early assessment gives you peace of mind so that you do not need to worry about the correct age to commence treatment or worry about the consequences of late diagnosis (which may involve more invasive treatment methods such as jaw surgery or adult tooth extractions).
Our patients at BVO undergo the least amount of treatment for the maximum outcome. This is the basis of our evidence-based, holistic treatment principles.
Routine preventive orthodontic treatment is performed for children who require it, whilst we do not commence treatment early if it will not create a better outcome than nature could have provided over time.
We encourage our patients to visit their family dentist regularly but we do not require a referral. We will be pleased to explain whether your child may benefit from preventive orthodontic treatment. If no treatment is required, then you will have the peace of mind that your child’s orthodontic journey will be as smooth and simple as possible with regular annual fee-free growth check review appointments with the orthodontist.
These fee-free growth check appointments enable the orthodontist to determine the most appropriate timing for both EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT treatment.
These regular growth-check appointments also allow the orthodontist to diagnose such conditions as bruxism (night-time grinding-related damage) or developing tooth impactions and to take appropriate preventative measures.
