Early Ortho Treatment in Little Rock & Jacksonville, AR

At Ashcraft Orthodontics, we provide early orthodontic treatments for our young patients as early as the age of seven. Though early treatment is not always necessary, Dr. Michael Ashcraft and his dental team do recommend a thorough evaluation in order to monitor your child’s smile. During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. Ashcraft will examine their teeth and jaw for any abnormalities in bite, spacing, and growth. Starting treatment and monitoring young can allow for early intervention, allowing you to avoid more expensive procedures later once the permanent teeth have fully developed. Early orthodontic treatment can intervene with bite alignment, jaw development, teeth spacing, teeth eruption, and jaw or bite complications. To learn more about when your child should receive early orthodontic care, contact our practice in Little Rock or Jacksonville, AR to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Ashcraft.

The best candidates for early orthodontic treatment may exhibit abnormalities in their bite, teeth development, or jaw. These may include:

• Overbite: The upper front teeth overlap your lower bottom teeth
• Crowding: The jaws are too small to accommodate all of your permanent teeth
• Open bite: Front upper and lower teeth that protrude outward so that the mouth doesn’t fully shut, typically caused by thumb sucking
• Crossbite: The front upper teeth close behind the front bottom teeth or vice versa
• Underbite: Lower teeth that extend out farther than the upper front teeth
• Overjet: The upper front teeth are misaligned horizontally from the bottom front teeth
• Abnormal eruption: When a tooth emerges through the gum in the wrong place

When these issues are caught at a young age, they are able to be treated effectively before permanent teeth erupt. At Ashcraft Orthodontics, Dr. Ashcraft and his team create personalized procedure plans to allow for optimal results and the prevention of future dental issues.

The type of treatment chosen will depend on the current state of your child’s mouth. Typically, orthodontic appliance devices are provided to correct certain bite issues, including retainers, headgear, and palatal expanders. Additional treatments may include tooth extractions or oral jaw surgery. Before any treatments are recommended, Dr. Ashcraft may perform a thorough bite analysis and dental examination to ascertain which procedure is ideal to correct current issues. He will also be available to answer any questions you have throughout the treatment process in order to allow for a better understanding of your child’s treatment.

After a procedure plan is conducted, you may need to bring your child to several scheduled appointments at our Little Rock or Jacksonville facilities. Any aftercare instructions will also be provided by a member of our experienced dental team. Additionally, it is important that you help your child stick to a regular oral hygiene routine and ensure they attend annual dental exams and cleanings. Following early interventions, your child may be recommended to receive orthodontic treatments, such as Invisalign or traditional metal braces, to achieve a more appealing, aligned smile.

The cost of your child’s treatment may be covered, at least in part, by your dental insurance provider, depending on your plan. Following your consultation and after your procedure plan has been created, a member of our financial team will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. We can also offer you information on the various payment methods we accept and financial planning through CareCredit®.

Through early orthodontic treatments, Dr. Ashcraft can detect any issues with your child’s teeth and jaw before they develop further. This can allow for more optimal results through orthodontic treatment and save you time and money in the future. Contact Ashcraft Orthodontics in Little Rock or Jacksonville, AR today to learn more and to schedule a thorough evaluation for your child.