Early Treatment As you may be aware, a child's first trip to the dentist should take place no later than age two. Similarly, your child's first visit to the orthodontist should occur by age seven. This may surprise you because orthodontic treatment is usually associated with adolescence. Although treatment will not necessarily begin at this early age, an examination is important to ensure maximum dental health for your child. This gives you, the parent, peace of mind. The following early signs may indicate that your child should have an orthodontic examination: Early or late loss of teeth Difficulty chewing or biting Mouth breathing Finger sucking Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth Jaws that shift or make sounds Speech difficulty Biting the cheek or into the roof of the mouth Facial imbalance Jaws that protrude or retrude Grinding or clenching of the teeth Early orthodontic treatment (also referred to as Phase I) can help minimize the need for more lengthy and expensive treatment at a later date, such as extraction of permanent teeth and/or jaw surgery. Early treatment may also help a child's self-esteem, a fragile asset that is so important in growing up. Please understand that recognizing an orthodontic problem at an early age does not always result in early treatment. After evaluating your child, Dr. Rouch may just want to check your child periodically while the permanent teeth are erupting and the jaws and face continue to grow. In the interest of prevention, we are happy to offer all initial examinations and follow-up recall visits at no charge. Treatment for Adults Braces are not just for kids! In our practice, we treat all age groups, from toddlers to senior citizens. Teeth can be straightened at any age and a new smile will last a lifetime. It is never too late to seek the benefits of orthodontic care. Although a nice smile is important, improving the health of your gums and teeth is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to tooth decay, gum and bone loss, abnormal wear of the tooth surfaces, headaches, and sometimes jaw joint (TMJ) pain. Good news! New techniques and materials used have greatly reduced the discomfort level, decreased the frequency of visits, shortened the treatment time, and may allow you to choose from several options. Dr. Rouch offers the traditional metal braces (with the colored rubber ties), translucent (clear) braces, and he is Invisalign (invisible) certified. With a simple complimentary exam, Dr. Rouch will be able to determine if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment, what would be involved, the length of treatment, and the approximate cost, including any insurance benefits you may have. Our former adult patients all agree that orthodontic treatment was the best investment in themselves that they ever made. We look forward to hearing from you soon.