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Jerger Pediatric Dentistry > About Orthodontics
 While Orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, there is usually a best age to begin treatment in order to achieve maximum improvement with the minimum amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child's first visit to an orthodontist take place by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected.
Frequently, malocclusions are present behind seemingly acceptable smiles. Although treatment may not actually be started until years later, early examination allows Dr. Jerry to detect and evaluate problems and plan appropriate treatment.
In some cases, early treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. This early intervention generally will make comprehensive treatment at a later age less complicated. Sometimes, the best treatment is to wait until all of the permanent teeth erupt and use braces to correct all of the problems.
No two patients are the same and no two treatment plans are identical. Individual planning for each patient will yield the best results, but treatment while the jaws and teeth are still growing and developing almost always results in treatment that is easier, faster, and less costly. Despite this fact, over 25% of our patients are adults. Because the process involved in moving the teeth is the same in adults as it is in children, orthodontic treatment can usually be successful at any age.
Removal of Permanent Teeth to Straighten Teeth
This has been a topic debated since the beginning of Orthodontics. We feel it is beneficial for you to understand the basics of this issue. Some orthodontists believe that expansion or widening of the jaws can provide the required space to straighten crooked teeth. They feel that tooth removal could cause a narrower smile and increase the potential for TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction. Other orthodontists feel that if the jaws are widened, then the teeth will not be stable, causing a return to the original positions. These groups of orthodontists also feel expansion could cause gum problems and lead to impaction of second and third molars (wisdom teeth).
The extraction philosophy of Dr Jerry and Dr Ron is that each case is examined individually taking into consideration the age of the patient, severity of the problem and desired facial features. Overlapping and severely crowded or crooked teeth, protrusion and angulations of the incisors causing excessive lip fullness, and dental compensation for unequal and deficient skeletal jaw growth are all signs that permanent teeth may need to be removed. All appropriate options will be reviewed to point out the benefits and disadvantages to each treatment method.
Huerter Orthodontics strives to maintain a balanced and harmonious facial appearance with a functional bite, providing a long lasting beautiful smile.
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