Child Orthodontics in Jackson, MS
As a parent in Jackson, MS, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.
Dr. Sandifer and our team will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.
Trust a Premier Orthodontist for Kids
In order to make sure that your children get the necessary child orthodontics care, Dr. Sandifer and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend children should receive their first screening before the age of seven.
At this age, Dr. Sander can identify any potential future issues and correct them using orthodontic treatment before they ever turn into serious problems that are difficult to treat.
Treating issues before they develop makes the treatment much less complicated and will end up saving you a lot of money in the long term as orthognathic surgery can be costly.
Considering that a kid’s teeth have not completely erupted at this age, early treatment will ensure the best possible outcome. Dr. Sandifer can evaluate the relationship between the teeth and address issues at the earliest possible stage.
Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
In some cases, Dr. Sandifer will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.
If Dr. Sandifer thinks your child will need treatment, she’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment to give her the best chance to:
- Correct bad habits like tongue-thrusting
- Improve your child’s appearance and enhance his or her self-esteem
- Correct issues with your kid’s teeth before it becomes a major issue
- Improve the alignment of kids’ teeth and jaws early on
- Minimize the possibility of extractions
Signs the Bite's Not Right
The only way to know if your child needs orthodontic treatment is by having them examined by a Jackson orthodontist.
If one of the following signs are present, you might want to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sandifer:
- Your child is losing their baby teeth later or earlier than normal
- Breathing through their mouth instead of their nose
- Excessive snoring/problems sleeping
- Displaying problems speaking
- An issue biting down
- Crowded teeth
- Jaw clicking or shifting when opening their mouth
- Thumb or Lip Sucking
- Crossbite: results in a bite shift which could result in facial asymmetry if waiting beyond the age of 10
Common Orthodontic Issues
If you bring your child to our offices in Jackson or Brandon for an evaluation, it might turn out that they have one or more problems with their teeth, jaw, or gums.
Take a look at some of the most common problems that are identified at this stage in young children:
Crossbite/Underbite/Overbite
These three problems refer to an issue with the way that the upper teeth fit onto the lower teeth.
An overbite, more commonly referred to as “buck teeth,” occurs when the upper teeth are protruding too far out from the lower teeth.
The underbite refers to the opposite — when the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw.
On the other hand, a crossbite is a malformation where the upper teeth come down straight onto the lower teeth, not slightly in front, as they should.
Midline Misalignment
If kids have midline misalignment, the middle of his or her upper front teeth does not align with the middle of their lower front teeth.
If we identify one of the aforementioned problems in your child, we will recommend a customized plan to treat and correct the issue on time. This will allow your child to have a healthy and beautiful smile for life.
Open Bite
An open bite occurs when there is a space where the top and bottom teeth do not meet when kids bite down.
Crowding of Teeth
Crowding appears when there is insufficient space for all teeth to fit into the jaws. When kids have crowded teeth, they usually appear twisted and unaligned in comparison to other teeth.
Learn More at Your Free Consultation
If you’re interested in finding out more about orthodontic treatment, early detection techniques, or the different treatments to help your child, contact Sandifer Orthodontics for more information.
Dr. Sandifer would be happy to take a look at your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw position to determine whether they have a dental issue that can be resolved at this stage of their development.
In our years of experience, we have dealt with different patients with a range of different issues, so we would be more than happy to help you invest in a healthy, beautiful smile for your child. Don’t hesitate to call our office today at (601) 981-5004 to schedule a free consultation on child orthodontics in Jackson MS.