Early orthodontic treatment
Protect your child’s smile. Save time & money.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic exam by age 7. In some cases (not all!), correcting dental problems while a child is young may prevent more serious problems from developing and make subsequent treatment shorter and less complicated. Some of the early treatment orthodontic solutions Bethesda Orthodontics can use to keep little problems from becoming big problems include:
Space maintainers – Early loss of teeth may require a special appliance to open the space to allow the permanent tooth to erupt properly. If a space maintainer isn’t used, the space may close by other teeth drifting into that space.
Early arch development – For proper early arch development in your child, we may use space maintainers or other specially designed arch development appliances.
Thumb-sucking – Prolonged thumb- or finger-sucking can have adverse effects on the teeth and the jaws. It may cause the upper front teeth to tip forward. If the habit is bad enough, it can cause the upper jaw to move forward.
Early straightening of permanent incisors – Permanent front teeth may be straightened with localized braces starting at about age 8 to 10. Sometimes this is necessary to correct a functional problem and/or to prevent a more serious problem later on.
Crossbite – In the most common type of crossbite, upper teeth will fit on the inside of lower teeth. If corrected early enough with an appliance, jaw disharmony can be prevented.
The benefits of correcting bite problems early.
You’ll be happy to know that Dr. Coccaro always looks at conservative treatment options first. He uses the latest interceptive methods to correct problems before they progress badly and require more expensive surgical correction. These include expansion devices, partial braces and custom appliances. Early intervention can reduce treatment time for your child’s braces later on and provide a stable, healthy bite for a lifetime. Your child will be in the best of hands. Dr. Coccaro has decades of experience treating all kinds of early childhood problems and early orthodontic treatment. He will provide your child with the above-and-beyond personal attention that can make their visits relaxed, fun and positive experiences.
For more information about interceptive orthodontic treatment or to schedule a preferred appointment, call 301.530.8191, or you can use our online form to Request an Appointment. For general inquiries, you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We encourage and welcome your referrals.