Seeing a big, warm smile on your child's face is one of the most gratifying things about being a parent. Keeping a healthy smile requires good dental care that starts early in life. It requires a team approach involving the patient, his or her family, the family dentist, the orthodontist and, as needed, other dental specialists.

Most parents consider having their child see an orthodontist for two reasons: (1) Their dentist has told them that their child's teeth are misaligned; and/or (2) they are concerned about the appearance of their child's mouth. Large spaces between the teeth, crossbites, crowding, crooked teeth, and a protruding over-bite or bucked teeth are a few of the most common complaints.

Good dental health starts early. Early childhood is an excellent time to lay the foundation for a lifetime of good dental habits. Good dental health is more than healthy teeth and gums. It also includes having teeth and jaws that are properly aligned.

It's best to see a child no later than the age of seven to determine both timing and need for orthodontic treatment. Conditions may be found that can be corrected at this early age by interceptive measures. There are definite advantages to correcting many problems at an early age in an early treatment or Phase I plan. It is best to have your child evaluated by an orthodontist prior to losing all their baby teeth. Waiting until all baby teeth are lost can often complicate an otherwise fairly simple problem. There is an ideal time for each individual patient to begin treatment to achieve the greatest results. Let Dr. Lupi determine the best time to intercept or correct your child's orthodontic problem. Even if treatment is not yet indicated, early evaluation is useful for later diagnosis and treatment planning.

In addition to improving oral health, orthodontic treatment can provide the self-confidence that comes with a healthy, attractive smile for years to come.

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