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777 Corporate Dr #210 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

949-272-8782

Call Us

949-272-8782

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 9-6 & Sat: 9-3

Book Appointment

Free Consultation and Exam

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 9-6 & Sat: 9-3

Book Appointment

Free Consultation and Exam

My Child’s Teeth Look Straight, So We Can Skip Braces, Right?

Ladera Ranch, CA – You may look at your child’s smile and think everything appears as it should. There are no gaps, no crooked or crowding teeth, and no other glaring issues. That means you can skip visiting the orthodontist then, right? Not so fast say the orthodontic experts at Ladera Orthodontics.

“It is a common misconception that if your teeth appear straight, you don’t need orthodontic treatment,” says Dr. Robert Gire, one of the two board certified orthodontists at Ladera Orthodontics. “Even though a smile might appear to be straight, it could be functioning poorly and that could lead to a host of problems.”

One of the main things orthodontic treatment works to create is a bite that functions properly. This means there must be adequate space in the jaw for the teeth to not only all erupt properly but to then fit together as they should. A bite that places uneven amounts of pressure can lead to chipping, cracking, breakage, or even loss of teeth.

A misaligned jaw can also create other issues for your child such as problems speaking and chewing. Teeth grinding also happens often in children with misaligned jaws, and this can lead to breaking and chipping of the teeth as well.

Even if your child’s teeth look straight to you, it is important to have a consultation with a certified orthodontist. Only a trained orthodontist will be able to spot discrepancies that could spell bigger trouble down the road.

“We find that some people skip orthodontic treatment as kids because their teeth seem straight enough,” says Dr. Reza Salmassian. “But they often find themselves spending a lot of time and money in the dentist’s chair correcting issues that orthodontic treatment may have been able to prevent.”

You may think your child’s teeth look straight, but there are some signs to be on the lookout for that may indicate he or she could benefit from orthodontic treatment:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Problems with chewing or biting
  • Abnormal enamel wear
  • Sores on the cheeks or roof of the mouth (signs of a deep overbite)
  • Teeth that do not meet or meet abnormally
  • Extended pacifier use, thumb sucking, or tongue thrusting

If your child is over the age of seven and has not yet had an orthodontic consultation, call Ladera Orthodontics today at 949-272-8782.

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