Early Orthodontic Screenings

Early Orthodontic Screenings

Set Your Child Up for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles with Early Orthodontic Screenings
As a parent, you want the absolute best for your child's health and development. When it comes to their smile, early intervention can make all the difference. At LAVAAN Smiles, we offer comprehensive Early Orthodontic Screenings to evaluate your child's developing teeth and jaws, ensuring any potential issues are identified and addressed long before they become complex problems.

Why the "Age 7" Rule?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. While your child will likely still have a mix of baby (primary) and permanent teeth at this stage, their jaw is growing rapidly.

This specific age is a critical milestone. It allows our expert clinical team to assess their bite side-to-side and front-to-back, identifying subtle issues with jaw growth and emerging teeth while they are still highly responsive to gentle, non-invasive guidance.

The Benefits of Early (Phase 1) Intervention
Not every child will need early treatment, but a timely screening gives you peace of mind and allows us to determine if interceptive orthodontics (often called Phase 1 treatment) could benefit your child. The advantages of early intervention include:

Guiding Jaw Development: We can help ensure there is adequate space for permanent teeth to erupt properly, reducing the risk of severe crowding, crossbites, or impacted teeth.

Correcting Harmful Habits: Early treatment can effectively address alignment issues caused by thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged pacifier use.

Reducing Future Treatment Time: Intervening early can simplify or even eliminate the need for extensive orthodontic work (like full traditional braces or permanent tooth extractions) during their teenage years.

Protecting Protruding Teeth: Correcting protruding front teeth early helps protect them from accidental trauma or sports injuries.

Supporting Airway and Speech: Proper jaw alignment supports healthy breathing patterns and aids in clear speech development.

What to Expect During Your Child's Screening
Your child's comfort is our top priority at LAVAAN. During the screening, our doctors will perform a gentle, comprehensive evaluation of their mouth. We utilize state-of-the-art digital imaging, such as low-radiation X-rays or 3D scans, to see exactly what is happening beneath the gums.

After the evaluation, we will sit down with you to clearly explain our findings, discuss whether a "wait and see" approach or active treatment is recommended, and answer every question you might have. There is never any pressure—just expert guidance tailored to your child's unique needs.

Schedule Your Child’s Screening at LAVAAN
A healthy, confident smile starts early. With three premier, conveniently located offices across New York City—the West Village, the Upper East Side, and Midtown West—LAVAAN Smiles provides exceptional pediatric and orthodontic care right in your neighborhood.

Give your child the gift of a beautifully balanced smile. Contact LAVAAN today to request an early orthodontic screening appointment.