Your children deserve straight and healthy teeth. That’s why Interceptive Orthodontics is an important part of early dental care for young children. With interceptive orthodontics, Dr. Shilpa at her Pediatric Dental Office in Sugar Land is able to identify and treat problems that left untreated at this stage may require more extensive treatment if postponed until a later date.
Interceptive Orthodontics identifies children’s teeth that are coming in crooked or crowded usually by the age of 7. If early treatment is indicated, Dr. Shilpa can provide pediatric dental treatment to begin correcting problems this can reduce the time and sometimes eliminate the need for braces later on. In the past corrective dentistry was not used until the age of 10 to 12 years of age and involved braces.
By age 7, most children have a mix of baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth so now is the best time with to begin to correct problems such as dental crowding, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth and extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems.
A bad bite develops over time and left untreated until later in life typically requires more extensive dental work. The causes can be any number of things thumb- or finger-sucking, mouth-breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents or poor nutrition. Whatever the cause, Sugar Land Pediatric Dentist Dr. Shilpa is usually able to treat most conditions successfully.
Why see an Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric Dentists like Dr. Shilpa are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. The advantage for patients of early detection of orthodontic problems is that some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult. In some cases even if a problem is detected, Dr. Shilpa will take a “wait-and-see” approach, and check your child regularly as the permanent teeth come in and the jaws and face continue to grow. A Pediatric Dentist like Dr. Shilpa, will know when the ideal time for her to begin dental treatment is necessary to ensure the best results. Dr. Shilpa’s goal is to provide each child with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.
Benefits of early treatment
In some cases, Dr. Shilpa might find something that can benefit from early treatment. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Some earlier treatable conditions include:
- Guide jaw growth
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve appearance and self-esteem
Dr. Shilpa is a board certified Peditric Dentist and has devoted her entire practice to meeting the dental needs of children. She is currently accepting new patients and in conveniently located for patients in the following areas: Sugarland, Greatwood, Telfair, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, Fulshear, & Houston. Call Today 713.955.2100 and Schedule an Appointment.
