When you think about children’s orthodontics, you might be imagining a middle or high school-aged child. You may have a younger child whom you’ve never considered taking to a children’s dentist in Palos Heights, Illinois.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist at age 7, for one very good reason. There are several orthodontic problems that are easier to treat in younger children, once they have all of their permanent teeth, including:
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Functional shifts
- Crowded teeth
- Spaced out teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Teeth issues from thumb- or pacifier-sucking
Children’s Orthodontics in Palos Heights, Illinois
At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Facko, Dr. Bauer, and the entire team are focused on providing you and your children with expert care. We believe that many orthodontic problems are best addressed early, and so we focus on prevention, early intervention, and education, as these are deeply important to children’s oral health.
Dr. Facko, who also serves on the Board of Education at Palos 128, is skilled at identifying orthodontic conditions early and recommending the right treatment plan for your child’s needs. Treating these conditions early can save you time, money, and hassle. Letting problems worsen as your child grows often creates more complex issues that require more complex and costly treatment. The best time to begin intervening in orthodontic conditions is when your child’s jaws and teeth are still growing.
We take steps to ensure that children are comfortable during their appointments. The process we’ve built, based on extensive experience, might include:
- Topical anesthetic for numbing
- Distraction to keep their minds on other things
- Taking our time with slow numbing, which we can do because we don’t double-book
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for children who are more anxious
We’re also skilled at treating all children to help them achieve their best smiles, including children with developmental differences. Dr. Facko is the Board President for GiGi’s Playhouse, Tinley Park, whose mission is “To Change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all.”
Consider Getting in Touch For Your Child’s Orthodontic Needs
We’re proud of the work we do here, and we’d love to extend our expertise to you and your child. Give us a call to schedule an early orthodontic evaluation in Palos Heights, Illinois.
