For any parent raising a child in Wayne, NJ, they probably know that a child should see a pediatric dentist. What they might not know is their child should also see a pediatric orthodontist too. Now a lot of people may not truly understand what pediatric orthodontist does. To help clarify, here are some differences between a regular pediatric dentist and a pediatric orthodontist.
First off, both a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist help take care of a child’s teeth and oral health. Both go through the exact same amount of basic schooling and training. Both spend at least two to three years of residency before they are able to go out and practice on their own.
Where things begin to differ is after the basic schooling and training. A pediatric dentist can be more thought of as a general practitioner for oral health. A pediatric orthodontist is basically a dentist who has training in oral cosmetic surgery and corrective procedures. They are typically independent of each other, but in some cases a person can find an Orthodontist In Wayne NJ and a dentist in the same building.
Not Just Braces
Now what most people associate with a pediatric orthodontist is braces. There is actually quite a bit more that a pediatric orthodontist can provide in the way of services. An orthodontist can help monitor the growth of a child’s jaw and teeth structure. If issues begin to arise with the jaw alignment such as overbites and underbites, then the orthodontist can begin apply corrective measures.
A pediatric orthodontist can also help to improve oral function. If the jaw or teeth are misaligned or if there are unnecessary gaps between a child’s teeth, there may be problems with a child’s oral function. An orthodontist can address these issues, as well. Doing so at an early age will help the child avoid any permanent problems down the road.
One question that is often asked is when should a child start seeing a pediatric Orthodontist In Wayne NJ? The general rule of thumb here is to wait until a child’s adult teeth begin coming in. Typically this happens when the child is around 12 or 13 years old. Sometimes this can be sooner or later.
Every child should see a pediatric orthodontist as soon as possible. Parents should even try to schedule regular checkups to make sure that the jaw and teeth are growing as they should. Catching any problems early will certainly prevent things from escalating into something worse. Of course practicing good oral hygiene on a regular daily basis is just as important if not more important. An orthodontist cannot do their work properly on a mouth with bad hygiene.
Wayne Pediatric Dental Care is a dental office that is just for the treatment of kids from as young as one year old to young adulthood. The pediatric orthodontist for Wayne, NJ has over 20 years of experience. They offer preventative dental care and 24 hour emergency service.
