Early Treatment

Dr. Joshua L. Johnson understands how important your children are to you. That's why he encourages you to bring them in for an early orthodontic exam at approximately age 7, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. Bite problems may be present at this age which, left unattended, can be difficult to correct at a later age or even cause irreparable damage to the permanent teeth. Even one crooked tooth can throw off the bite, hinder proper cleaning and cause functional problems as your child grows older, including gum disease, cavities and speech disorders. Dr. Johnson will conduct a comprehensive exam to check for these and other problems:

Excessive wear and chipping of front teeth
Severe crowding
Habits: finger/thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting
Crossbite of front and back teeth
Eruption problems and space management

THE BENEFITS OF CORRECTING BITE PROBLEMS EARLY
Early detection and treatment can prevent your child from needing costly and time-consuming dental care in the future. You'll be happy to know that Dr. Johnson always looks at conservative treatment options first. He uses the latest interceptive methods to correct problems before they progress badly and require surgical correction. These include expansion devices, partial braces and custom appliances. Early intervention can reduce treatment time for your child's braces later on and provide a stable, healthy bite for a lifetime.

Finally, Dr. Johnson and his friendly staff will provide your child with the above-and-beyond personal attention that can make their visits a relaxed, fun and positive experience.

Make a beautiful smile possible for your child. Call (509) 328-1243 and schedule your child's orthodontic exam and consultation today!