Family Physician: A Friend to Depend On

Posted on: 29 December 2014

If you are the parent of a child or teenager who suffers from an overbite, underbite or other bite issue, it is important to plan for the expenses of their serious dental issue. It is often surprising to learn that in severe cases, problems with the bite are more than a cosmetic issue. They are also a health issue that, if left untreated, can cause problems later in life.

Pain, difficulty chewing, speech impediments or even Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) are problems that could occur, if your son or daughter does not receive the orthodontic care they need when the problem first becomes apparent. It is also important to note that it is easier to fix the problem when it first becomes obvious, but more invasive, expensive and time-consuming treatments can often correct the condition, even years later:

The Basics Of Braces

There is no doubt that an unfortunate reality of braces is that they are usually expensive to both receive and maintain. For instance, beginning orthodontic treatment at the right time is essential for best results. If braces are placed too early, correction will be slower and when it is delayed, patients will need more advanced care that takes longer to correct the condition. 

In most cases, that means when the child is done growing, because if the jaw grows very much after braces are acquired, patients may need to wear braces longer than they would otherwise. Obviously, when braces need to be worn longer, there will be additional appointments with the orthodontist and those visits cost money. 

The exception to that would be when early intervention becomes necessary, which may become obvious to a orthodontist at a checkup for children as young as seven. If the concern of overcrowded teeth or uneven bites is noted when a child is still growing, it is frequently possible to expand the area with orthodontia while the jaw is still growing and then to begin more complex care in their early teens.     

What Should You Expect If You Delay Orthodontic Care?

Besides the obvious aspect of preventing pain or embarrassment in later years, a unique benefit of early intervention is that it allows you to plan for the certainty of dental expenses when they are still years away. In addition, because the jaw is still developing, you are able to avoid the more challenging and expensive aspects of delayed dental work. 

One common example is the need to extract teeth later, when there is not enough room in the jaw for the existing teeth. Another is the possibility of speech problems when the jaw is overcrowded with teeth in the future.  

In conclusion, as a parent you are responsible for some tough decisions for your son or daughter for many years. Knowing what dental expenses your child faces in the future will make it easier to plan for the expense. For more help, contact a company like Reed Orthodontics.