Early Orthodontics
At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This allows Dr. Neil Mandalia to determine if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated. Many of the dentists in our community have been trained to identify orthodontic problems early, and may refer you to our office earlier than age 7.
Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth.
If early treatment is indicated, Dr. Mandalia can guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment, after all the permanent teeth erupt.
Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not necessarily benefit all children. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted. Some skeletal orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or completed. The doctors develop a plan for treatment based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed on our orthodontic observation program.
What is the Orthodontic Observation Program?
The orthodontic observation program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth. Sometimes, poor erupted patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth and reduce the treatment time required for braces. We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit. We normally see the patients on recall every 6-8 months to observe their progress as they grow. There is no fee for this program and it helps the orthodontist determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible result for your child.
In addition to a beautiful new smile, what are some other benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Braces can improve function of the bite and teeth, improve ability to clean the teeth, prevent wear on the teeth, and increase the longevity of natural teeth over a lifetime.
If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as an adolescent?
Early treatment can begin the correction of significant problems, prevent more severe problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. Because all of the permanent teeth have not yet erupted when early treatment is performed, their final alignment may not have been corrected. Typically, a shortened comprehensive phase of treatment (Phase II – full braces) in the teen years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted, completes the correction. However, in some circumstances, further orthodontic treatment may not be indicated.
Do we still need to see our family dentist during orthodontic treatment?
Patients with braces and other orthodontic appliances require more effort to keep their teeth and gums clean. Because we want to insure the highest level of dental health, we recommend you see your family dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings every 6 months during treatment.
FAQ
Q: When should my child see an orthodontist for the first time?
A: Around age 7 is the right time for a first orthodontic visit. By then, the first adult molars and front teeth are usually in, so Dr. Neil can spot jaw and bite problems while your child is still growing. For Newtown and Bucks County families, that early check is less about braces and more about catching small issues before they turn into big ones.
Q: Who is a good children’s orthodontist in Bucks County, PA?
A: Dr. Neil Mandalia here at My Smile Orthodontist is a specialist orthodontist who grew up right here in Bucks County. He completed a full orthodontic residency after dental school, so orthodontics is all he does. It isn’t a side service at a general dental office. And because this is a small, owner-run practice, he sees your child himself at every visit instead of handing them off to a rotating staff.
Q: If we come in at age 7, does that mean my child gets braces right away?
A: No. Plenty of kids who come in at 7 simply get watched for a while. Here’s the thing: Dr. Neil won’t start a child early just to get them in the chair. As he puts it, “Sometimes it’s better to wait on treatment rather than starting the patient too early and collecting finances.”
Q: What does early orthodontic treatment actually fix?
A: Early treatment, also called Phase 1, fixes problems with how the jaws are growing, not just crooked teeth. That can mean an expander to widen a narrow upper jaw, a bite plate to guide how the bite closes, or growth-stage jaw advancement for a lower jaw that sits too far back. Look, these tools only work while a child is still growing, which is why timing matters so much. Getting the bones right first is how Dr. Neil sets kids up for a better finish, and some families who expected jaw surgery down the road finish without it.
Q: Will my child have to get adult teeth pulled?
A: Not just to make treatment faster. Pulling permanent teeth can shave months off a case, but Dr. Neil builds the plan around your child’s biology instead of taking that shortcut. One parent, Katrina B., said he was the only one who “really listened to learn about our son and not rush to remove adult teeth.”
Q: What braces options are there for kids in Bucks County?
A: Kids at My Smile Orthodontist can get traditional metal braces or Damon system braces, and older kids and teens may be a good fit for Invisalign or clear aligners. For a teen who doesn’t want braces showing in school photos, aligners are often the discreet choice. But here’s what matters most: the option has to match what your child’s mouth needs, and Dr. Neil will tell you plainly which ones will actually get the result.
Q: How many office visits will my child need?
A: In a lot of cases, up to half as many trips as a traditional schedule. Both the Newtown and Holland offices use DentalMonitoring, so progress gets tracked week to week from home with a phone between visits. That means fewer afternoons pulled out of school and less driving for busy families juggling sports and homework. DentalMonitoring has even recognized the practice as one of the offices using its technology to the full capacity.
Q: Is early orthodontic treatment available in Holland, PA?
A: Yes. We have an office in Holland at 295 Buck Rd, Suite 206, in Southampton, plus a second office at 2853 S Eagle Rd in Newtown, and you’ll see Dr. Neil at both. Call (215) 799-9000 to book your child’s first visit at whichever one is closer.
