Congratulations on taking your child to see an American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) orthodontist! If an area of concern was noted, the orthodontist may have suggested periodic observational visits, including x-rays and photos. Their purpose is to monitor how your child’s teeth, face and jaws are developing. Visits may be scheduled once or twice a year.
Are these visits really necessary? Yes, they are! They allow your orthodontist to monitor changes as your child grows.
The kinds of things your orthodontist will be watching include whether:
- Baby teeth are being lost, and the schedule
- Permanent teeth are coming in symmetrically, in the correct sequence at the correct time
- Upper and lower jaws are developing properly
- Permanent teeth have enough room to come in
If treatment is necessary to intercept a developing or existing problem, there is often an ideal time to begin. These return visits help determine the best time to start treatment.
Treatment doesn’t always mean a child gets braces. Treatment could consist of pulling a stubborn baby tooth at the right time or intervention to help stop the sucking habit. AAO orthodontists are experts in knowing what type of treatment is needed and when it will be most beneficial.
If recommended, continue to have your child seen periodically by your orthodontist. You will give your child the opportunity to get the best results from their orthodontic treatment and the precious gift of a healthy, beautiful smile.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists—only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have graduated from dental school and successfully completed the additional two to three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.
When you choose an AAO orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, with the skills and experience to give you your best smile. Locate AAO orthodontists by Finding an Orthodontist at aaoinfo.org.
