Did you know that The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children receive an orthodontic screening by 7 years old? A screening enables an orthodontist to detect any potential issues or problems that may need to be treated. The earlier an orthodontic problem is detected the easier it is to correct.

We Have the Best Orthodontic Options For Kids & Teens!

Here at Yardley Ortho, we treat adolescents with a variety of options when it comes to straightening teeth and correcting bite problems. Some of the adolescent orthodontic options include:

Early detection of a problematic orthodontic issue allows our orthodontist, Dr. James Riesenberger, the opportunity to treat you while your jaws are still growing and allows an opportunity to help create the space needed for proper eruption of permanent (adult) teeth. In addition to early detection, we are proponents of preventative dental care. Adolescence is a time of life that can present challenges when it comes to proper oral hygiene and consistency.

Orthodontic Experts for a Straight Smile

We try to empower children, teens, and parents with the necessary tools to incorporate braces and routine oral hygiene with the use of electric toothbrushes that are given to those with braces to help maintain proper oral health.

During each visit, patients' overall oral health is assessed with a rating between 1 and 5. Parents are informed of the findings with the use of a scorecard. If the patient’s oral hygiene is in question, Dr. R will suggest a visit to the general dentist for more frequent cleaning as well as review brushing instructions for better home care.

Our hope is to prevent future problems, save time and money to help children of all ages establish healthy standards of self-care. Sometimes it’s as easy as a demonstration on the right way to brush and floss, and highlighting pitfalls of diet and nutrition that impact dental health.

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Orthodontic Problems We Address

Common issues addressed in adolescent orthodontics can include:

Malocclusions: Misalignment of teeth and jaws, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
Crowded Teeth: When teeth are too close together, leading to overlapping and difficulty in cleaning.
Spacing Issues: Gaps between teeth, often due to missing teeth or space discrepancies.
Jaw Misalignment: Problems with jaw alignment that can affect biting, chewing, and speech.
Protruding Teeth: Teeth that stick out, which can be at risk of damage or affect appearance.
TMJ Disorders: Treating temporomandibular joint disorders that cause jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty in jaw movement.
Sleep Apnea: Correcting dental and jaw misalignments that contribute to obstructive sleep apnea, improving breathing during sleep.
Smile Aesthetics: Enhancing the overall appearance of the smile by aligning teeth, improving bite, and creating a balanced facial structure.

Why Are Adolescent Orthodontics Important?

Once an individual transitions from adolescent to adult, he/she has passed the crucial period of time when the jaw and permanent teeth are still maturing and adjusting.

Many times, early-adolescent treatment requires an appliance to help guide tooth eruption or help guide jaw growth – braces, as a prime example. Once all permanent teeth have erupted or growth has ceased, it may no longer be possible to correct certain orthodontic problems without extractions or surgical corrections.

What Can You Expect During a First Adolescent Orthodontic Visit?

During your first visit at Yardley Ortho, we conduct a patient consultation that includes:

Obtaining medical and dental history and information.
A comprehensive orthodontic examination

This first visit typically takes an estimated 45 minutes from start to finish. We may design an orthodontic treatment plan during this visit, but in certain situations, a patient may not be ready for treatment to start. In this case, we put them on “observation therapy,” and monitor their growth and development during a 3 to 12 month period.

Otherwise, Dr. R can create full treatment plans during this first visit. We generally take x-rays, photos and 3-D digital scans of the face, jaw and teeth and a summary of costs can many times be established at this time or provided to you within a few days.