Avoid the need for braces or other ortho treatment later in life with proactive screenings 

At Creo Dentistry, we encourage patients to get their children into the healthy habit of visiting our Marysville, Washington practice early. By “early,” we recommend the first visit be scheduled by no later than a child’s first birthday or within six months of the first tooth being visible in the mouth (whichever milestone comes first). Visits during the early, formative years support healthy development and prompt identification and intervention with problems. For instance, Dr. Dan Hwang’s guidance helps preserve the baby teeth that guide the proper placement of adult teeth.  

So, early screenings can prevent the need for ortho treatment later in your child’s life. Formally screening for problems with malocclusion, misalignment, and “bad bite” is very specific to the child. However, the American Association of Orthodontists broadly recommends that children be screened for potential problems for the first time by no later than the age of seven or as soon as issues present themselves. 

Getting off to a healthy start

There are many benefits to assessing the development and placement of the teeth and jaws as the jaws are still growing and when some baby teeth are present. 

• For starters, your child may be a great candidate for early intervention. 
• Such intervention is often non-invasive and may involve habit modification or exercises to support the proper growth of the jaws.
• In this manner, teeth can erupt or break through the jaws in their proper, healthy positions. 
• Additionally, early monitoring when primary teeth are present, and development is underway allows us to accurately and proactively compare how the jaws and teeth evolve from visit to visit. If treatment is necessary, we can then recommend the ideal time to intervene. 

By seizing opportunities to treat during so-called “predictable phases of development,” we can increase the odds that these imbalances will be resolved successfully. Remember that orthodontic treatment often requires a “wait and see” approach because some techniques will not be effective until after the facial bones and jaws have fully developed. 

At Creo Dentistry, we combine advanced knowledge of complex treatments with sophisticated technologies to support these innovative, comprehensive capabilities. You can trust that the recommendations we make for your child are based on our considerable know-how and the latest, safest, and most accurate diagnostic tools—Call (360) 502-7217 to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Hwang today.