Prepare Your Child for A Beautiful Smile
Both Dr. Joe Moon and the American Association of Orthodontists urge parents in Overland Park and Olathe to take children to see an orthodontist at age seven. As a father himself, Dr. Moon will care for your children as his own.
Taking a Preventative Approach
While seven-year-olds still have most of their baby teeth, it is actually an ideal time to either start monitoring a child or to intervene early to prevent major issues and the need for surgery in their teen years and adulthood.
Most little ones don’t need braces right away. Dr. Moon will examine their mouth and monitor the development of their face, teeth and jaws.
This way, he can catch problems before they become more serious and let you know when is the right time for treatment.
Dr. Moon will also work with you to correct potentially harmful habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing. These occasional visits give your child the opportunity to build a relationship with Dr. Moon and ensure they feel comfortable in the orthodontist’s chair.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
If red flags arise while Dr. Moon is monitoring your child, he may recommend early intervention while their jaw is still growing. Phase I braces or an appliance could be needed to keep their development on track, avoid surgery and extractions, and make for easier, faster treatment down the road.
While we try to avoid two-phase treatment, when we can’t, we do a short first round of braces or an appliance before all of the permanent teeth have come in, take a breather for a few years and then finish up with a final round of braces or Invisalign.
Don’t worry, parents, we take a conservative approach at Moon Orthodontics and only resort to early intervention when it’s absolutely necessary!
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Moon thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips & face
Signs the Bite's Not Right
It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.
Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb-sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Protruding teeth
- Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- An unbalanced facial appearance
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Very Pleased!
Dr. Moon's office was efficient, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and made us feel right at home. My sons love that Dr. Moon is very easy to talk to, always takes time out to address our questions and concerns, and he has a great sense of humor!
We look forward to having him treat all 5 of our kids and we make it a point to tell all of our friends about their amazing office whenever we hear they are seeking referrals!
- Candy
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
If red flags arise while Dr. Moon is monitoring your child, he may recommend early intervention while their jaw is still growing. Phase I braces or an appliance could be needed to keep their development on track, avoid surgery and extractions, and make for easier, faster treatment down the road.
While we try to avoid two-phase treatment, when we can’t, we do a short first round of braces or an appliance before all of the permanent teeth have come in, take a breather for a few years and then finish up with a final round of braces or Invisalign.
Don’t worry, parents, we take a conservative approach at Moon Orthodontics and only resort to early intervention when it’s absolutely necessary!
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our offices in Olathe or Overland Park.
Our team would be happy to talk more about early treatment and develop a plan for your child’s unique needs!