Orthodontic Services in East Lansing, Grand Ledge, and DeWitt, Michigan

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, a child’s first visit to the orthodontist should be at the age of seven. We agree and encourage parents to have their children visit their DeWitt, East Lansing, and Grand Ledge, MI kids’ orthodontist at this age. The reason for this is because at age seven, the first permanent molars and central incisors have usually erupted and we can more accurately assess the crowding, jaw sizes, jaw relationships and growth pattern by this time. If there is a developing problem, some limited early, interceptive treatment can be initiated to correct this problem and set the child’s growth and development on a more normal path. Early treatment can often take a complex problem and make it easier to treat in the long run, giving the greatest chance for achieving optimal results in the least invasive manner possible.

Having said that, the early screening is to assess for any growth or eruption problems that are developing. If there is a minor concern, Dr. West may recommend watching how the growth and development continues and intercept only if things start to get worse. Sometimes no early treatment is indicated, and you can be confident that if no treatment is needed, Dr. West will not initiate any treatment.

While treatment for most common orthodontic problems will usually start when all of the baby teeth are gone (typically around the ages of nine to 14,) there are some conditions that are actually much easier to treat when they’re taken care of at an earlier age. This is because a child’s natural growth processes have hit their stride during this time. Some of these orthodontic conditions that are great choices for early treatment include the following.

Crossbites – A crossbite is where one or multiple upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth. This is the reverse of how teeth should meet. Sometimes it is a skeletal/growth problem and sometimes it is a tooth eruption problem. At West Family Orthodontics we will assess the cause of the crossbite and prescribe the proper treatment plan.

Crowding – Crowding of the teeth can occur due to a large tooth size, a small jaw size, or a combination of both. There are many different ways to address this issue early and Dr. West will diagnose and create a specific treatment plan based on your child’s unique needs.

Underbites – An underbite is caused when the lower jaw grows forward faster than the upper jaw and the lower front teeth bite in front of the upper front teeth. This is a severe problem that should be addressed as early as possible.  If the growth imbalance is left unchecked, jaw surgery could be needed in the future. 

Protruding Teeth – Upper front teeth that protrude (or stick out) can be problematic, especially if the child has difficulty with lip closure. Without proper lip closure at rest, protruding teeth are much more prone to being chipped or injured. There are multiple different reasons why this can occur, and at West Family Orthodontics, Dr. West will diagnose and prescribe the proper treatment to resolve this issue.

You may not have realized it, but orthodontic treatment can actually also treat bad oral habits as well. Some of these bad habits can be detrimental to a child’s oral health and hamper the development of his or her teeth, jaws, and mouth. 

Thumb or Finger Sucking – This is a natural reflex that many toddlers and babies will have. This habit will typically go away on its own between the ages of two to four, but if the habit persists much longer afterward, the pushing of the thumb against the back of the upper front teeth can cause them to protrude and the suction can change the width and shape of the upper jaw. An anterior open bite can develop as well as a posterior crossbite.

Tongue Thrusting – This is a muscular pattern in which the tongue protrudes between the anterior incisors. This habit will most often occur during speech or swallowing. If left untreated, it can lead to an open bite.

Mouth Breathing – This is an abnormal breathing pattern where a person leaves the mouth open while breathing and air passes straight into the lungs. Mouth breathing can cause both the lower and the upper jaw to grow abnormally.