Early Treatment
At Huls Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile. That’s why we are dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care for patients of all ages. Our warm and welcoming offices, friendly and caring staff, and expert treatments make us the preferred family orthodontist in Monticello and Champaign. Whether you opt for braces, Invisalign, or another of our treatments, you can always trust us to go above and beyond in caring for your smile.
As your pediatric orthodontist in Champaign, we understand that as a parent you want only the best for your child, and that’s why we believe in the importance of early orthodontics—both evaluation and treatment.
During this initial evaluation, your child may not start braces treatment and he or she may not end up needing braces or Invisalign treatment, but it’s important to visit an orthodontist to find out what might be in his or her oral health future.
When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child receives his or her first orthodontic screening by age 7. By beginning treatment early, we are able to identify possible obstacles and fix them before they become more severe. This will save you and your child time and money by limiting future difficulties before they start.
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment has proven to be advantageous for our orthodontic patients. Because a younger child's permanent teeth haven’t stopped erupting, we are able to completely assess and address any approaching difficulties at the initial stage.
During your child's initial evaluation with your pediatric orthodontist in Monticello or Champaign, we will first determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed, such as potential crowding, open bite, overbite or gummy smiles. The Phase I treatment plan can include preventive, interceptive or modifying treatment. Orthodontic appliances may be placed to prevent a problem from occurring, correct a current problem or help direct jawbone growth. Multiple problems with tooth alignment, gums, jaws, and facial problems can be corrected with Phase I treatment.
Does My Child Need Braces?
About 75% of all kids and teens have some type of problem when their teeth have grown in, so it’s not uncommon for your child to need metal or clear braces or Invisalign. Here are some signs that your child will need braces:
- Early, late or irregular loss of baby teeth.
- Difficulty in chewing or biting.
- Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth.
- Jaws that shift or make sounds.
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth.
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all.
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.
Early diagnosis and successful treatment of certain bite can have both short-term and long-term benefits. Even though adults also get orthodontic care, success is usually more predictable in a growing jaw and can be tackled early on.
Contact Huls Orthodontics Today
At Huls Orthodontics, we are committed to providing the highest quality orthodontic care for patients young and old. Whether you’re looking for a pediatric orthodontist in Monticello, or simply have a question or concern about the development of your child’s smile, schedule your free consultation with Dr. Huls today. He’ll examine your child’s teeth, determine if early, interceptive treatment will benefit your child, and let you know about any potential orthodontic problems. If you’d like to know more, reach out to your family orthodontist in Monticello and Champaign by calling (217) 762-7313 for our Monticello office or (217) 352-4334 for our Champaign office, or at our contact page. We can’t wait to provide your child with a stunning smile that will last a lifetime!