Your smile and bite can be improved at any age as long as you have healthy teeth and gums. However, there is usually a best age to begin treatment to achieve maximum improvement. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child's first visit should take place around age 7.

Dr. Donaldson utilizes his specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics to determine if treatment is needed. When treatment is not indicated, careful observation can establish the best timing for orthodontic care.

The following are indications an orthodontic problem may be present:

• Unusual facial profile
• Thumb and finger sucking
• Overlapped and crooked teeth
• Missing teeth
• Lower jaw in front of upper teeth
• Protrusion of upper teeth
• Mouth breathing

Some of the benefits and advantages of early treatment are:

• Improve the smile and self confidence
• Influence the growth of the jaw in a positive manner
• Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• Reduce or eliminate the need for extraction of permanent teeth
• Lower the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
• Improve the width of the dental arches
• Improve self image of our children