Children‘s Orthodontics in Salem & Keizer OR
To find out if Dr. John is the right orthodontist for your child, come in and meet him and our staff.
My Child is 5-7 Years Old
Early evaluation of children can allow Dr. John to identify many issues for which the complexity can be reduced with a simple intervention. Treatment at an early age does not usually eliminate the need for comprehensive orthodontics, but it always reduces the complexity and difficulty of the final braces.
In children ages 5-7, we can see all the baby teeth, as well as the developing permanent teeth. The size of the teeth and the direction they are coming in, as well as identification of missing teeth or teeth that are becoming impacted, can all be identified at this early age. Furthermore, large overbites and underbites can be identified. Early treatment of these significant jaw imbalances is critical.
My Child is 8-10 Years Old
The child is approaching a time of rapid skeletal growth and the loss of the remaining baby teeth. Treatment of many orthodontic problems requires harnessing this period of rapid growth so that the bite can be properly fit together. Also, timing treatment to start just before the last baby tooth is lost can result in significant space creation and can sometimes prevent the need for extracting permanent teeth.
My Child is 11-13 Years
Rapid skeletal growth, known as the growth spurt, is imminent or already happening by this age. Many times, ideal orthodontic treatment requires harnessing this growth. Treatment of overbite (buck teeth), for example, relies mainly on catching the problem before the growth spurt. It cannot be emphasized enough how important treatment at this age is for orthodontic problems that involve significant overbite. It is especially important that girls be evaluated early in this age period, because most girls have their growth spurt well before boys.
My Teen is 14-16 Years Old
Even though your child has finished his or her growth spurt, there are still significant advantages to treating orthodontic problems before teens become full-fledged adults. Correcting orthodontic problems involves moving teeth within the jaw bones, and teenage jaw bones are still maturing, thus they are not nearly as dense as adult jaw bones. Also, we know life only gets more complicated as teens become adults. Fitting orthodontic treatment into the schedule of your teenage child is easier than scheduling time for orthodontic visits in a busy adult life.
Children With Special Needs
All children have needs and characteristics that are unique to them. Some children have needs that are more unique than others. Dr. John is especially sensitive to meeting these patients’ needs so that they will be able to receive the benefits of orthodontic treatment. His approach is to listen to the parents who know their child best, take extra time when it’s needed, and to structure treatment based on what is best for that patient’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
This can mean extra get-to-know-you visits to make patients comfortable in the clinic or sending certain tools or materials home to practice before an appointment. He prioritizes appointment times when medication and the patient’s feeling of wellbeing is at its maximum.
To find out if Dr. John is the right orthodontist for your child, come in and meet him and our staff. You can then determine if our office is a good fit for your child and his or her requirements.
