Your Orthodontist Expert in Lafayette, LA
Oubre Orthodontics is your orthodontics and braces expert, serving Lafayette, LA and the surrounding areas. Our doctors and the entire team are committed to helping you and your family achieve a healthy smile. We are proud to offer a variety of innovative braces including metal braces, clear braces (ceramic braces), clarity advanced braces, and Invisalign. We know each patient has individual orthodontic needs, and will work with you to create a customized treatment for any orthodontic problem. Oubre Orthodontics wants our patients to understand all the benefits of early treatment for children!
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment for Children
When it comes to your child’s orthodontic treatment, early treatment is important. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends your child’s first orthodontic check-up should be performed no later than age 7, or even earlier if an orthodontic problem is recognized. By this age, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the jaw and developing teeth, and diagnose any potential issues.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
During your child’s first visit, you can expect the orthodontist to:
- Determine that no treatment is necessary
- Determine treatment may be needed in the future, and you may have regular check-ins
- Determine there is a problem that lends itself to early treatment options
Early treatment can be beneficial for young patients if their problem is one that if left untreated might become more serious. Early treatment helps identify and correct any potential development issues, to better guide the growing facial and jaw bones, and assure there is enough space for permanent teeth. After your child’s permanent teeth have fully grown in, a second round of treatment may be required to move teeth into the proper position.
Early Orthodontic Treatment Options
If your child still has some baby teeth, early orthodontic treatment can address common problems:
- Bite Issues – underbites, overbites, crossbites, openbites
- Protruded teeth, very crowded teeth, or excessively spaced teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Teeth that don’t meet properly or at all
- Any other issues that may affect the teeth or jaw growth, like thumb-, finger-, or pacifier- sucking
While some issues are genetic, others may result from accidents, disease, or abnormal swallowing.
Early orthodontic treatment varies, and your doctor will recommend the best treatment option for you. A fixed or removable orthodontic appliance can be used to hold teeth in place, move teeth, or change the position of the jaw in order to achieve proper alignment. However, sometimes no appliances are necessary, and the extraction of baby teeth can help permanent teeth grow in better and help your child’s overall development.
From an early age, it is critical to maintain a dedicated oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. Beyond that, it is important to remember that early orthodontic intervention is key for your child—many problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated sooner. Don’t wait to schedule your child’s orthodontist visit!
Contact Us for Braces in Lafayette, LA Today!
Oubre Orthodontics is here to answer any questions you may have about early treatment, braces, or any other orthodontic treatment options. You can contact us directly by phone at 337-988-2025, via email, or you can schedule an appointment by using our easy online form. We can’t wait to help your child get started on their new smile today!