An aesthetically pleasing smile indicates a person’s self-esteem, his or her oral functionality, and the well-being of their teeth, therefore deepening oral healthcare. However, a large number of individuals do not actively seek preventative measures until severe orthodontic issues arise. Imagine a world in which patients could easily prevent invasive surgical treatments like braces! This method of early intervention does exist: it is known as preventive orthodontics, which aims to eliminate braces for children in the future.

At Garrison Orthodontics, we’ve made it our goal to eliminate the hesitation to smile within the West Orange, NJ, community by providing affordable and detailed one-on-one orthodontic care for all ages. This blog will cover the details of the workings of preventive orthodontics, along with its benefits and our philosophy on it being treated early on.

What is Preventive Orthodontics?

Preventive orthodontics is the initial phase of orthodontic treatment that focuses on early detection and prevention of probable tooth and jaw alignment complications that are likely to arise. Proactive preventative orthodontics acts on a child’s growth and its forward movement, coupled with the growing long-term benefit for a child’s overall well-being.

Recognized for its proactive stance, preventive orthodontics is entirely different from interceptive or corrective orthodontics, which works to solve problems after they exist. Preventive orthodontics aims to monitor growth, detect potential risks, and take early action where needed. This strategy goes a long way in ensuring proper bite and alignment of teeth, which, in the long run, drastically minimizes future extensive procedure requirements.

How Preventive Orthodontics Can Save You Time, Money, and Future Braces

1- Saves Time

The most important benefit of preventive orthodontics is the Time saved, which is a major factor. This is also rendered possible via early identification. With the right assessment, the treatment can be completed faster and sometimes even with lesser invasiveness. A child’s dental development can make or break the chances of effective early intervention, which is why children are diagnosed at younger ages.

For instance:

• Children as young as 7-8 can benefit from palatal expanders instead of braces at 14 for upper jaw issues.
• Thumb sucking can be eliminated before teeth or jaw misalignment without interfering with aesthetics.

Early treatments tend to be more effective in duration when compared to all-inclusive corrective treatments later on.

2- Saves Money

Not receiving orthodontic care promptly often leads to greater expenses. More advanced treatments may be needed for complex bite problems, including crowding and jaws that are out of alignment, resulting in the need for braces, tooth extraction, headgear, or even surgery. In contrast, preventive care is less costly as it aims to reduce the need for more advanced media. 

Consider this example:

• A space maintainer might prevent significant crowding and cost a few hundred dollars. 
• Full orthodontic treatment through braces or aligners can cost upwards of $4,000–$7,000 or more. 

Taking these actions early on can save families hundreds or thousands of dollars when it comes to orthodontic treatments over time.

3- Reduces the Need for Future Braces

Preventing full braces is one of the most remarkable impacts of preventive orthodontics and is made possible through early monitoring and corrective measures. Your child’s jaw can be guided to accommodate the incoming teeth more efficiently. 

For example: 

• Loss of baby teeth and eruption of permanent teeth that precede them can be guided to reduce crowding. 
• Early correction of jaw alignment improves the alignment of the jaw itself, reducing the likelihood of requiring braces later on. 

Even though a child may require braces, the application of preventive orthodontics offers the benefit of greatly reducing the circumvention and Time needed for treatment or eliminating the need.

Who Can Benefit from Preventive Orthodontics?

Preventive orthodontic treatment is usually targeted at children aged between 6 and 10 years old. However, certain aspects can help adults as well. An ideal scenario would be for a child to have their first orthodontic check-up around the age of 7. At this age, an important orthodontic jaw and dental development check-up can take place to determine a number of factors. 

Signs your child might benefit include:

• Early or late teething. 
• Cheek or thumb sucking. 
• Crowding or misalignment of baby teeth. 
• Difficulty with pronouncing words. 
• Jaw clicking or popping. 
• Snoring or breathing through the mouth. 
• Chew and bite problems. 

Garrison Orthodontics provides helpful, detailed assessments to prepare families and their children, informing them about their requirements early on.

Types of Preventive Orthodontic Treatments

Just like any other field, nine in preventive orthodontics is not the same for everyone and incorporates many different types of tailored treatments to promote ideal oral development. 

Here are some common preventive treatments: 

1. Space Maintainers 

Due to the early loss of a baby tooth, for the sake of plugging the void until the adult tooth comes out, space maintainers assist in ensuring the orderly removal of teeth that can otherwise hamper growth.

2. Habit-Breaking Appliances

Designed to discourage thumb sucking or tongue thrusting tongue-thrusting. If these behaviors are not resolved, they can cause open bites as well as jaw misalignments.

3. Palatal Expanders

These are used for widening the upper jaw, particularly in patients with crossbite or overcrowding. Helps to prevent the need for future tooth extractions or corrective invasive surgery.

4. Early Tooth Extractions

Deliberate extraction of a baby tooth helps to alleviate crowding or alignment complications by creating adequate space for the eruption of permanent teeth.

5. Growth Monitoring

Regular diagnostic exams enable orthodontists to keep track of jaw and teeth growth, therefore allowing them to deal with potential complications earlier than later.

The Role of Parents in Early Orthodontic Care

When it comes to preventive orthodontics, parents are the first to intervene. Keep track of your child’s dental growth while making sure they have regular appointments with the dentist. Self-evaluation of orthodontic conditions can tend to be very difficult, further proving the need for professional evaluation.

How Parents Can Help

• Supervise thumb-sucking and mouth breathing
• Listen for speech or chewing challenges
• Schedule first orthodontic evaluation around 7 years old

At Garrison Orthodontics, we walk parents through every step of the journey by explaining findings and outlining options and care plans tailored to the child’s needs and family budget.

Conclusion

Preventive orthodontics is an important concept in today’s dental care. Taking action early on prevents the need for complicated and costly treatments, enabling children to have beautiful smiles and may eliminate the need for braces.

At Garrison Orthodontics, we are pleased to provide the families of West Orange, NJ, with bespoke preventive care. Allow us to take the first step together because caring for children’s mouths from an early age supports building a confident smile.

FAQs

At what age should my child see an orthodontist for the first Time?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. We at Garrison Orthodontics believe in providing early assessments to identify issues in development before they become serious.

Can preventive orthodontics eliminate the need for braces?

In most cases, early intervention reduces or shortens the time a patient has to spend with braces. Some children will still need braces, but their treatment time and complexity will most likely be decreased with preventive care. 

Does insurance cover preventive orthodontic care?

Yes, one of the most common types of orthodontic care covered by dental plans is preventive orthodontics. Our staff will assist you in understanding your benefits with your provider and ensure that the cost of care is manageable.