The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to address the misalignment of your teeth and bite, which can seriously inhibit your mouth’s proper function and, in severe cases, negatively affect the symmetry of your facial features. When occlusal problems are detected early, while your child’s oral structures are still growing, early orthodontic treatment may lessen or prevent the need for treatment at an older age. Malocclusion, or bite misalignment, can occur in various ways and for a number of different reasons, and your Century City orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan, is specially trained to diagnose and treat occlusal complications at any age. Today, we explain how early orthodontic issues can blossom into bigger trouble if not treated, and how children’s braces are designed to prevent that from happening.

The Importance of Symmetry

Prevention, early detection, and early treatment are dominant factors in all areas of good dental health. For instance, preventing tooth decay and gum disease can help you avoid the need to restore dental damage caused by the infections. Likewise, correcting a child’s incorrectly-growing bite at an early age can help place that child’s smile on the path to permanent proper alignment. For optimal function, a healthy mouth should be perfectly balanced. Your teeth should fit comfortably into the grooves of their opposites, with upper front teeth extending slightly in front of the lower front teeth, and your jawbone must be symmetrical to maintain your bite’s balance as you bite and chew.

Prevention Through Children’s Braces

By the age of seven, your child should attend his/her first orthodontic examination, which involves a thorough oral inspection and bite analysis. If misaligned teeth or an imbalanced jaw are detected, then Dr. Alpan can consult with you and your child to initiate early orthodontic treatment, typically in the form of children’s braces, to correct the growth of your child’s oral structures. Though orthodontic treatment can help patients of all ages regain balance in their smiles, children’s braces can achieve results that may not be possible once your child’s face and jaws complete their growth.

Learn More About Children’s Braces with Your Century City Orthodontist

If your child is ready for his/her first orthodontic appointment, or if you’d like to learn more about our various options for children’s braces, then schedule an appointment by calling our Century City office at (310) 888-0066 today for a free initial consultation.  For your convenience we have an office in Century City, and Los Angeles. We proudly serve patients across all surrounding communities.