Orthodontics for Children:

Good Dental Health Starts Early

As an adult, you recognize the importance and value of orthodontic treatment and as a parent you want the best for your child, including healthy teeth and a pleasing, confident smile. To have a smile that's good for life, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned — in other words, a healthy bite. It is recommended that your child have an orthodontic evaluation done no later than age 7. By this age, subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth can be spotted while some baby teeth are still present. While most orthodontic patients begin active treatment between ages 9 and 14, a number of orthodontic problems may be easier and less expensive to correct if they’re found and treated earlier. It's not always easy to tell when your child 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 in chewing or biting  Breathing through the mouth Thumb-sucking Crowded, misplaced or crooked teeth Jaws that are too far forward or back Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth Protruding teeth Over or under-bites An unbalanced facial appearance  Grinding or clenching of the teeth

FUNCTIONAL JAW ORTHOPEDICS

“The Newest Form of Orthodontics”

Functional Jaw Orthopedics, the newest, most progressive form of orthodontic treatment for children is now practiced at Family Dental Group. This leading edge approach to orthodontic treatment for children treats teeth and jaws beginning at age 2 to manage growth, development and deformation. With this method, various dental techniques are used in one or more phases of treatment to give our young patients beautiful, broad healthy smiles.

FJO combines two methods of straightening teeth and jaws. By using fixed and removable appliances with superior results, FJO Treatment works along with a child’s growth and development resulting in a beautifully formed, well balanced attractive smile.

FJO treats problems earlier- when they are first recognized, and typically aims to make room for teeth to fit in, whereas traditional orthodontics treats later with more extractions of teeth. As a result, FJO treatment is increasing and the removal of teeth has been decreasing. The bottom line is that since most children who need orthodontic treatment have crowded or protruding teeth, they can either start to make room for teeth early, or they will likely have to have teeth removed later.

THE ADVANTAGES OF FUNCTIONAL JAW ORTHOPEDICS

• Treats the TOTAL patient….Face, Teeth….and TMJ.
• Creates broad beautiful smiles and nice, attractive profiles.
•  Develops pleasing facial balance as growth continues.
• Fewer teeth (if any) are removed.
• Healthier TMJs (jaw joints).
• Treatment can be started much earlier (at age 3-8) so problems can be corrected earlier while smaller- rather than later when larger.
•  Very stable results are experienced.
• No head gear is required.

Removable appliances are easier to clean, as are the teeth and gums.

• Appliances are less conspicuous, and can be removed for athletics, playing
  musical instruments and public speaking.
• Patients grow into a smile not out of one.

Studies show that 90% of the face is developed by age 12, so it is important that orthopedic and orthodontic problems be treated early in order to guide the growth of our younger patients. We find parents are very receptive to early treatment so that problems can be solved earlier before they become more serious and perhaps more expensive later on. We highly recommend this form of orthodontic treatment and welcome the opportunity to make you more familiar and comfortable with our very successful approach to child orthodontics.

Affordable Fees, Convenient Payment Plans – We understand that while it may be the right time for orthodontic care for you or your children, it may not be a convenient time for you financially. With that in mind, we have created affordable payment alternatives from $199 a month to enable you to obtain the quality orthodontic care you deserve, at a price that fits into your budget. We also offer an interest-free option. All payment plans are subject to credit qualifications.

To consult an orthodontist, general dentist or schedule an appointment, call us today at The Family Dental Group.

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