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No. Although many patients are referred to an orthodontist by their dentist, others are referred by friends or family who have had previous treatment in our practice.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children aged 7 should be evaluated by an orthodontist. Whilst many are not ready for treatment at this time, there are a handful of problems that may be present which could necessitate what is called preliminary or first stage treatment. Subtle problems related to the growth of the jaws and emerging teeth, even though baby teeth are still present, may be identified.

While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

A check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine or the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development. This will allow for treatment for your child to be initiated at the most appropriate time. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment which may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late for a check-up. Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:

• Guide jaw growth.
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth.
• Correct harmful oral habits.
• Improve appearance.
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favourable position.
• Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips, and face.

Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile.

The first appointment involves an assessment and examination to see if you (or your child) will benefit from orthodontic treatment and whether or not it is the optimal time for treatment. If treatment is indicated at this time, you will be informed of this and asked if you wish to progress further. The next step involves the gathering of information to make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. This involves taking radiographs, photographs and a digital scan of the mouth. At a further appointment, a case discussion will be scheduled to discuss the treatment and all aspects related to it in detail.

Once braces have been fitted, you will normally go through an initial phase of getting used to the appliances. We recommend that you eat soft foods for the first few days until you get used to the braces. Your lips, cheek, tongue and teeth may be sore for a few days. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal. Over-the-counter pain relief medications may be used. Placing Relief wax, which will be supplied to you, around the sore spots or sharp edges of the appliances. To use your wax, take a small piece about the size of a pea. Shape it into a ball with your fingers and apply the wax directly to the part of the braces causing the sore spot. Press it around the part and smooth it with your fingers. Wax is harmless and can be applied to your braces as often as is needed.

NOTE: If you happen to run out of wax, sugar free gum can temporarily serve as a good alternative.

Rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt can also be soothing. Once you are used to the appliances, treatment tends to be much more easily coped with. We will endeavour to make the treatment as comfortable as possible for you and keep you informed of what measures you can take to achieve this too. Some tightness will be felt in the initial period after braces have been fitted and occasionally after routine orthodontic visits as well when mild pain or soreness of the associated teeth may be felt from the forces placed on the teeth to move them.