Your Local Palo Alto Orthodontist
You should take your child to a family dentist as soon as the first tooth starts to come through. Most children visit the orthodontist with a referral from their dentist. It is a common belief that orthodontic treatment should usually begin when someone is in junior high or high school. However, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, every child should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This is because early evaluation by an orthodontist can detect problems that are best treated early during growth and development. At Twin Smiles Orthodontics we accept referrals from dentists, and we also accept parents or patients to book consultations directly online or by phone.
We are here to help. Choose the best kids orthodontist in Palo Alto. Beautiful and healthy smiles start with expert dental and orthodontic care from a young age. Book a free consultation at Twin Smiles Orthodontics today.
Palo Alto kids can experience a range of dental issues. While many kids will have only a couple of cavities before they lose their baby teeth and grow their adult teeth, some children can suffer from issues in the alignment of their bite, the spacing of their teeth, and the spacing/alignment of their jaw and palate. At Twin Smiles Orthodontics we strongly believe in intervening early with two-phase treatment only when necessary. For those Palo Alto Kids who need intervention with the best kids orthodontist in Palo Alto, early orthodontic treatment can guide the growth of the jaw and help teeth erupt properly. In turn, this can reduce future complications like dental impactions or severe malocclusions that require surgeries later.
The most common orthodontic issues for Palo Alto kids include…
All three of the above orthodontic issues can be treated with braces or aligners in most cases. Addressing these issues at an early age with the best kids orthodontist in Palo Alto will help create better overall orthodontic outcomes.
Some orthodontic problems are corrected in phases, starting when kids have their baby teeth and then continuing and concluding once their adult teeth come through. This is known as a two-phase treatment.
This type of treatment is designed to support development and prevent long-term problems. Two-phase treatment is available at Twin Smiles Orthodontics.
Not every child will need two-phase treatment, but outcomes are better when orthodontic problems are detected early.
Early orthodontic treatment doesn’t always involve braces; instead, it can employ several other techniques, the most common is the need for a palate expander at age 7.
A palate expander is a special dental appliance that can expand the upper jaw to create more space between both sides. A palate expander at age 7 can be used to treat a crossbite or to expand the jaw when there isn’t enough space for teeth to erupt.
A palate expander at age 7 could be appropriate, depending on the development of your child. For children who may have severe malocclusions, it is important to get a palate expander at age 7 or so to treat the problem while the jaw is still growing. Waiting to seek out treatment until the jaws have finished growing may result in the need for surgery to properly correct the issue. The best way to learn about the specific type of treatment that your child needs and if a palate expander at age 7 (or later) is required is to book a consultation. Choose the best kids orthodontist in Palo Alto and schedule an appointment at Twin Smiles Orthodontics.
Orthodontic issues can begin at an early age. Most young patients benefit from being closely monitored by the best kids orthodontist in Palo Alto as they grow to make sure everything is developing as it should. The American Board of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic appointment by the age of seven to screen for issues in the development of the teeth or jaw, but Palo Alto Kids with an underbite (upper teeth behind lower teeth) should be seen by an orthodontist as early as four years old. This is important because, at these early ages, the orthodontist can take early steps necessary to help guide the teeth and jaw growth. In these cases, treatment is divided into two-phase treatment, an early phase and a second phase begins around age 10-14 when most of the permanent teeth have erupted.
We would love to meet you in person or virtually! Please fill out the form below or give us a call at (650) 331-1171 to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to seeing you here!