Orthodontic screening in Linden New Jersey

Do you know how often you should have an orthodontic screening? Most people don't, and that's because the guidelines for when to have one vary depending on who you ask. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children have their first orthodontic screening by age seven.

Orthodontic screening is important for both children and adults. Even if your child seems to have perfectly straight teeth, it's still a good idea to have them screened by an orthodontist. By detecting orthodontic problems at an early age, it may be possible to avoid more serious problems in the future.

If you are overdue for screening, make an appointment with your dentist today. At Magic Smile Dental, we offer orthodontic screening in Linden, NJ, at the most affordable price. Our dentists are equipped with the right knowledge, experience, and tools to detect and prevent tooth problems from happening.

What Is Orthodontic Screening For?

Orthodontic screening is a visual and physical examination of the teeth and jaws. It will often identify any potential or developing orthodontic problems that may need further investigation or possible treatment in later life.

The orthodontic screening takes place at specific times during your child's development, allowing the dentist to check how the teeth, jaws, and face are growing and working together. The aim of orthodontic screening appointments is to:

• Identify tooth/jaw problems early on before they become more complicated to treat.
• Treat conditions when they are simpler and cause less disturbance to normal bite function.
• Make sure children attend regular check-ups, so we can monitor their progress.

Some examples of potential orthodontic problems that may be identified are:

• Crowded or widely spaced teeth
• Overbite/underbite
• Crossbite -Open bite
• Small midline diastema (space between the front teeth)

If any of these conditions are identified, it does not necessarily mean your child will need treatment. This is because some people have features associated with these conditions and do not develop any problems at all.

Treatment should only be considered when necessary to maintain good dental health and promote normal jaw and facial development.

Orthodontic screening should not be confused with a regular dental check-up which is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and general health. A simple scale can help you work out the difference between regular dental check-ups and orthodontic screening appointments.

How Is Orthodontic Screening Done?

As mentioned above, it is recommended that children receive an orthodontic screening by age seven. This is because children should finish their growth, including jaw growth, before moving forward with treatment. Most often, this screening is done at your child's regular check-up appointment.

However, if you feel like there are specific issues causing concern for you and your child, it may be helpful to bring up these concerns with your general dentist or pediatrician, so they can look more closely during the next visit.

In some cases, when a child has a condition such as thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting — which can cause misalignment of the teeth and jaws — they will be referred to a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist for further evaluation. In cases where more complex treatment may be required, it is likely that your child will be referred to an orthodontist for a more in-depth examination.

Your general dentist or pediatrician should determine if there is enough room in the mouth for all permanent teeth without crowding or gaps between them before turning seven years old. If a child has a severe overbite compared to a normal bite, they may need braces. In some cases, a child with an under-bite may need early intervention as well.

Schedule an Orthodontic Screening in Linden, NJ

At Magic Smile Dental, we offer orthodontic screenings for children and adults. Orthodontic screening is a very important first step to determining what orthodontic treatment you might need at some point in the future.

If your child has good dental hygiene habits and regular visits to our office, then they are encouraging great care that can last them their entire life! We want to ensure that these habits continue with proper brushing, flossing, and avoiding snacking throughout the day.

If during this time we find that there are areas of concern, we may suggest an orthodontic screening appointment which will help us determine if your child would benefit from early intervention or not. We will create impressions of your child's baby teeth that will be used to create a 3-D model of what their teeth will look like in the future.

At this appointment, we may also recommend certain orthodontic appliances, including an expander, which is used for growing your child's upper jaw, or a retainer if they are experiencing an overbite or underbite.

We can schedule your child's screening now by calling our office at (908) 486–5000. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to call us, so we may answer them for you!