Benefits of Early Treatment

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first see an orthodontist at seven years of age. We at Patterson & Schardt Orthodontics agree with many parents that for some children this may seem too young. But for children with crowding, finger or thumb habits, crossbites, protruding front teeth (overbites), underbites, deep bites or other alignment problems early treatment can be very advantageous.

The benefits of timely orthodontic treatment for your child may include the following:

• Simplify and shorten treatment time for full braces
• Reduce appearance-consciousness during critical developmental years
• Improve the child’’s profile and lip closure
• Reduce or eliminate the need to extract permanent teeth
• Take advantage of cooperation before the teenage years
• Increase the stability of final treatment results
• Lower the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
• Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
• Improve the smile and self-confidence
• Reduce or eliminate the need for jaw surgery
• Improve speech
• Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• Influence growth of the jaws in a positive manner
• Improve the widths of the dental arches to reduce crowding
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions
• Reduce the potential for damage to the jaw joints

Becoming accustomed to an orthodontist, the office and the staff can also alleviate anxiety when it comes time to start the main phase of orthodontic treatment. The patients and parents have a better idea of what to expect concerning treatment, the importance of keeping appointments and how office policies work to the advantage of the patient and parents.

The Herbst appliance is a special kind of orthodontic appliance (“retainer”) which helps small lower jaws to grow forward. It is custom made out of clear acrylic and stainless steel components. It can also be made entirely out of metal braces. Either way, it includes parts which are cemented to the upper and lower teeth, and movable rods which connect them together. With 24 years of experience with this appliance, we are one of the nation’s most experienced orthodontists in the use of the Herbst. As a growing number of orthodontists have appreciated its many benefits for their patients, it has become the most popular of all early treatment appliances to help lower jaws to grow forward.


Copyright © 2008, Patterson & Schardt Orthodontics
Monroe Phone: (608) 328-8160
Freeport Phone: (815) 232-7223
Web Design by
Read our Disclaimer