Knowing when to schedule your child’s first orthodontist appointment can be a tricky business. A treatment timeline depends entirely on the person, and every patient is different. To be on the safe side, it’s best to have your child evaluated at or before 7 years old. At that point, the orthodontist can take a look at the patient’s progress, do some x-rays, and map out a rough timeline for treatment. An orthodontist can also catch any issues that may need to be addressed before they turn into something far more serious.
As the child gets older, your orthodontist may recommend gearing up for straightening and correction. Braces are designed to be used on permanent teeth, so it’s important to wait until most or all of these teeth have erupted, near the beginning of adolescence. First orthodontist appointments are typically consultation only. Don’t worry, you won’t have to jump straight into the treatment process just yet! There are several things that the orthodontist will want to cover. Let’s take a peek at some things you can expect during this first consultation.
- Q&A Session. This is the time for you and your child to ask any questions that may be on your mind. They may have to do with treatment specifics, duration, or even insurance coverage.
- Dental History. The office will ask you to fill out a form detailing the entire medical and dental history of your child. This way, the orthodontist will have a much clearer overall picture of the patient’s health and wellness.
- Oral Evaluation. A trained orthodontist will want to do a preliminary examination of the patient’s teeth, gums, and jaw. This may be done manually, with hand tools and magnifying loupes, or technologically, with an x-ray machine that captures detailed images of the patient’s mouth.
- Treatment & Payment. After assembling a more complete picture of your child’s dental history and current condition, the orthodontist will be in a better position to recommend a treatment. Perhaps the patient needs to wait for adult teeth to erupt, or perhaps they need fillings done before treatment can commence. The treatment (and projected duration) will be directly reflected in the overall price. This is a good time to discuss insurance coverage as well.
Noble Orthodontics offers a free consultation to all prospective patients. During this time, we’ll provide you with a treatment recommendation and address any questions or concerns you may have regarding the process. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
