Early Treatment

When you’re looking for an orthodontic specialist in San Jose, CA or the South Bay area, we at Mashouf Orthodontics strive to be your first choice. We’re proud to offer a number of high-quality orthodontic treatments, including many types of braces. We also pride ourselves on our welcoming, family-friendly environment that’s perfect for patients of all ages, including the youngest ones in the family. If you have a child who’s yet to see the orthodontist, we recommend you to bring him or her in to your trusted San Jose, CA children’s orthodontist to have an early screening.

 
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When Should My Child First Visit an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child’s first visit to the orthodontist be at the age of seven. The reason for this is that this the age when the first adult teeth- molars in the back and incisors in the front- usually emerge. This is the earliest opportunity we have to accurately judge the side-to-side and front-to-back relationships of the teeth. 
 

Early Interceptive Treatment

In contrast to the traditional approach of waiting for all the adult teeth to emerge before initiating orthodontic treatment during adolescence, we at Mashouf Orthodontics have developed an early treatment approach that provides highly efficient and effective orthodontic treatment for children between 7-10 years of age. Our unique approach applies the use of expanders and braces during a time when patients have both adult and baby teeth. Perhaps the greatest benefit of early treatment, among many, is that it prevents the need for removal of perfectly healthy adult teeth as part of the orthodontic process. Our minimally-invasive approach of not extracting teeth unless absolutely necessary is what  differentiates us.

Who Would Benefit from Early Treatment?

Early treatment is beneficial for patients who happen to have any of the following problems:

  • Crowding

  • Missing Teeth

  • Crossbites

  • Openbites

  • Overbites/Overjet

  • Narrowed or underdeveloped upper jaws

  • Overgrown lower jaws

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

 

Why You Should Consider Early Treatment

It’s advantageous to undergo orthodontic treatment as a younger patient for the following reasons:

  • Crowded teeth can be aligned without extraction

  • Younger patients are more adaptive to orthodontic changes, allowing for enhanced stability of results.
  • The teeth in younger patients require more guidance, but less pressure, which will minimize detrimental side effects.

  • Treatment at an earlier age will have a reduced treatment time.

  • Children will have minimal discomfort during treatments due to their teeth and bones’ lower resistance to movement.

  • Younger children are also likely to be more enthusiastic about the orthodontic process.

  • Early treatment will cost less compared to full orthodontic treatment at a later time.

 

Contact Your San Jose, CA Children’s Orthodontist Today!

Traditional orthodontics closer to the teenage years still has its place, and is preferable in certain cases, but for the reasons described above early treatment can be highly advantageous for many. If you have a child who you feel is need of early treatment or an early screening, feel free to give us a call at (408) 266-8820. Alternatively, you can fill out our online appointment request form. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping your child receive a healthy smile that will last a lifetime!