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Orthodontics & Facial Development: How Early Treatment Shapes the Future

Home » Orthodontics & Facial Development: How Early Treatment Shapes the Future

  • Farina Orthodontic Specialists
  • September 24, 2024

Orthodontic treatment does more than just straighten teeth — it can have a profound impact on facial development. Early orthodontic care, also known as interceptive orthodontics, addresses developmental issues in children to guide the growth of the teeth and jaws. At Farina Orthodontics, we believe that early intervention plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy, well-balanced smile for the future.

The Connection Between Orthodontics & Facial Development

The structure of the teeth and jaws is closely connected to overall facial development. Misaligned teeth, bite issues, or abnormal jaw growth can affect the appearance of the face, leading to imbalances or asymmetry. Early orthodontic treatment helps guide proper jaw development, creating a harmonious balance between facial features while also addressing dental issues.

By the age of 7, many children exhibit early signs of malocclusion, such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, which can influence how the face develops. Interceptive orthodontics aims to correct these issues before they become more complex, setting the stage for a healthier smile and improved facial structure.

The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

There are several advantages to starting orthodontic treatment early. By addressing potential problems while a child’s jaw and teeth are still developing, we can make significant improvements to their overall oral health and appearance.

Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Guiding Jaw Growth

Early treatment helps ensure that the upper and lower jaws grow in proportion to each other. This is especially important in cases of severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite. By guiding the growth of the jaw, orthodontists can reduce the need for more invasive treatments, such as jaw surgery, later in life.

2. Creating Space for Emerging Teeth

As children’s permanent teeth come in, there may not always be enough space for them to align properly. Early orthodontic care can create more room for these teeth, reducing the likelihood of crowding or impaction.

3. Reducing the Risk of Tooth Extraction

In some cases, early orthodontic treatment can prevent the need for future extractions by guiding the teeth into their proper positions as they emerge. By correcting alignment and spacing issues early on, we can often avoid the need to remove teeth during adolescence.

4. Correcting Harmful Oral Habits

Habits such as thumb-sucking, mouth breathing, or tongue thrusting can affect both dental alignment and facial development. Early orthodontic intervention can help break these habits and prevent long-term damage to the teeth and jaws.

5. Improving Facial Symmetry

Orthodontic issues like an underdeveloped jaw or a misaligned bite can affect facial symmetry. Early treatment allows orthodontists to address these concerns while the bones are still growing, ensuring that the child’s face develops in a balanced, proportional way.

What to Expect from Early Orthodontic Treatment

At Farina Orthodontics, we recommend an initial orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, your child’s orthodontist can detect any developing issues that may require early intervention. If treatment is necessary, it typically occurs in two phases:

Phase 1: This phase begins while the child’s jaw is still developing and baby teeth are still present. The goal is to address jaw growth, create space for incoming teeth, and correct any harmful habits. Orthodontic appliances like expanders, headgear, or partial braces may be used during this stage.

Phase 2: This phase occurs once the child’s permanent teeth have come in. Full braces or clear aligners are typically used at this point to fine-tune the alignment of the teeth and jaws.

While not every child will need early treatment, for those who do, interceptive orthodontics can make a world of difference in both dental health and facial development.

The Long-Term Impact of Early Treatment

Early orthodontic care not only creates a healthier smile but also sets the foundation for long-term success. By addressing growth-related issues at a young age, children can enjoy better oral health and facial balance throughout their lives.

As adults, they are less likely to need complex orthodontic treatments or surgical interventions. Plus, a well-developed jaw and properly aligned teeth can have benefits beyond aesthetics, including improved speech, easier breathing, and more efficient chewing.

At Farina Orthodontics, we’re committed to providing personalized care that sets your child up for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles. If your child is around age 7 and hasn’t yet had an orthodontic evaluation, contact our team today to schedule a consultation. We’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan that addresses your child’s unique needs and promotes healthy development for years to come.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

jessica P.
Dr Farina did my braces as well as my sons and every appointment has been amazing! Highly recommend!
Jonathan B.
I’ve been going here for my whole life. Great place with great people. Dr Farina is a kind and caring guy. Amazing experience
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback, Jonathan - it has been our pleasure!
Delores K.
I am so very Happy with my Invisalign results!! Dr Farina and his team have been absolutely amazing!! They have been there for me every step of the way. Dr Farina and his team are at the top of their game and I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a better smile😃
Response from the owner:We've loved having you as part of the Farina family, Delores, and are so pleased that you love your new smile! Thank you for the fantastic feedback.
Penny H.
Love-love this place! From the front office to the exam room and the final finish with Dr.Davis was a blessing! Dr. Davis and the staff were amazing at all times with my daughter. She rocked her treatment with the Invisalign and finished today. We are so happy and pleased with the outcome! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you for this glowing review, Penny! We appreciate your trust in our team and are so pleased that your daughter loves her new smile!
G D.
We had a great experience with Dr. Franco throughout my son’s orthodontic treatment. Caring and amazing staff, his treatment plan went as explained and his teeth turned out beautifully aligned.
Response from the owner:We couldn't be happier that you love your son's new smile! We will pass the feedback on to Dr. Franco and our team.
Eloá R.
My treatment was amazing and i couldn’t have chosen a better place. They are extreme understanding and seem to truly care about your treatment. Dr Davis was amazing
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback, Eloa!
Reggie D.
Dr Farina’s and his staff are the most competent, capable and caring team assembled. The facility is beautiful and state of the art. Dr Farina has served me and my entire family over a 25 year period. I highly recommend Dr Farina’s!
Response from the owner:Reggie, your feedback is priceless! Thank you for trusting our team with your family's smiles through the years.
Angelica Melecio P.
Farina Orthodontics was excellent throughout my Invisalign and jaw surgery process. They were patient and did excellent work and I couldn’t recommend them more.
Response from the owner:We appreciate the great review, Angelica, and we are honored that you chose us to partner with you on your smile journey. Thank you for trusting us!
Nina F.
I 100% recommend this place. It took me a year and 5 months to see the result of my Invisalign treatment, with the best results ever, my smile looks gorgeous and aligned. Franco and his staff worked with me very closely, listening to all my needs, with great motivation to never give up, (which probably everyone wants), be consistent to get the gold is the key. I love it! Thank you for your excellent and professional work
Response from the owner:We're so glad you've had a fantastic experience with us, Nina! Congratulations on your new smile!
Farah F.
I’ve had a fantastic experience with Dr. Davis and the entire team at Farina Orthodontic Specialists. Everyone is friendly, professional, and truly dedicated to patient care. From my initial consultation to each follow-up visit, the process has been smooth, clearly explained, and personalized to fit my needs. The office is clean, modern, and welcoming, and appointments always run on time. I highly recommend Dr. Davis and the team to anyone looking for quality orthodontic care! -Farahbod (Farah)
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback, and we'll be sure Dr. Davis and our team knows how pleased you were throughout your treatment. Thank you for trusting us with your smile!
Marlene L.
Today was my last appointment wearing braces! Dr. Franco & his staff have been amazing! During my 22 months with braces I’ve never had any problems with them. I’m in love with my new smile, thank youu so much!
Response from the owner:We are thrilled that you've had a WOW experience with us, Marlene! Congratulations on your beautiful new smile.
Jennifer C.
We love Farina Orthodontics! We had Invisalign’s for my first daughter and regular braces for my second, both turned out Amazing!! Dr.Davis and Sabrina are the best!
Response from the owner:We are so pleased that you've had a great experience with both of your girls' treatment, Jennifer! Dr. Davis and Sabrina are wonderful and we will always work to create a treatment plan that works best for each patient.
Tim M.
Dr Farina and staff are amazing to work with!! Patient service and care is top notch. Highly recommend! Our girls now have beautiful smiles thanks to them:)
Response from the owner:We are so happy you and the girls love their smiles, Tim! Thank you for the fantastic feedback.
Jayda G.
It has been a journey, and it took longer then expected. However, we continued to trust the process and are super happy with the results. Farina Orthodontics and their staff have been wonderful at every visit and throughout the process. Highly recommend!!
Response from the owner:We love seeing your new smile, Jayda! Thank you for trusting us with your treatment - congratulations!
Joanna L.
Pedro, Dr. Farina and the whole staff is amazing. Not only did they take their time to make sure my smile came out exactly how I wanted, but they educated me along the way. I am super happy with how everything turned out. I would highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback so much, Joanne! Thank you for allowing us to partner with you on your smile journey.

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