Early Orthodontic Detection

Dear Patients,

With the holiday season upon us, our thoughts turn to family and our holiday festivities. My staff and I wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

I have often spoken of the tremendous advantage of early interceptive orthodontics and orthopedics. One of the problems associated with significant crowding or arch length loss is impacted teeth. This is a result of not enough room in the arches for the teeth to erupt. Sometimes we can orthopedically develop the arches (widen them) and the teeth will erupt on their own. However, often in cases of significant crowding, these impacted teeth will require a surgical procedure to facilitate their eruption. In this procedure the tissue is reflected, the teeth exposed, and a bracket or button is bonded to the impacted tooth/teeth. Then an elastic or rubber band is attached to the button and then ligated to the surrounding dentition. Although this is a routine procedure in our office, many of these cases could have been avoided this surgery had they been treated at an earlier age.

Given the fact that 80% of the facial development is complete by age 8, it is suggested that an early orthodontic assessment is done before then, preferably between the ages of 4 and 7. Early detection and treatment can help prevent many orthodontic problems later in life.

Should you or someone you love have an orthodontic dilemma, please contact our office for a complimentary consultation.

Happy Holidays,

Michael W. Dagostino, DDS

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