“How do I know if my child needs braces?”
My daughter is 8 years old, with pretty straight teeth. However, we were told that she has an overbite. Will braces fix this?
12 Answers
You should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist . He or she will examine your child ,complete and analyze the appropriate diagnostic records , and make a recommendation to you regarding the appropriate timing and course of treatment. Generally speaking, it is advantageous to correct an overbite at a young age and when the child still has many baby teeth. In this way, it is often possible for the orthodontist to minimize the extent and cost of any future orthodontic treatment that might be required when the permanent teeth erupt.
Hello, this is a common question. Sometimes the teeth can be straight with bite problems present and the first time it is noticed is when the incisor teeth erupt. Treatment is often done as part of an interceptive or phase 1 treatment to correct problems with growth and development of the jaws. Appliances are commonly used as teeth erupt to help improve the bite and guide eruption of teeth. There are many instances though where an overbite may be present and the treatment can wait until the adult teeth grow in to the mouth. Most orthodontists will meet with you at a complimentary appointment and discuss if treatment should be done early or if this problem can wait until your daughter is older and has all of her adult teeth. I recommend you search the American Association of Orthodontists for a local orthodontist and set up an appointment. Sincerely, John
Braces can fix almost all problems- it's just a question of timing. In most cases, an eight year old is a little young for braces. Your child should be examined by an orthodontist to give you an idea of what needs to be done, and approximately when.
Braces can fix an overbite though in most cases correction of an overbite is done during the pubertal growth spurt so it may be a bit early for your daughter
8 years of age is an ideal time to evaluate for orthodontic treatment because the lower and upper 4 permanent incisors should be in place and the first permanent molars should be in proper occlusion bite relationship. There then has to be enough room for the unerupted permanent teeth to come in at their appropriate time. If everything is idea then the overbite both horizontal and vertical should be normal. If horizontal overbite or vertical overbite are greater than normal, braces can correct the problem. It will not correct itself. The question then becomes, when is the best time to initiate treatment, early at 8 or waiting until more permanent teeth have erupted? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is a question best discussed with an orthodontist who can determine what is best for your child. Early treatment can be a real advantage in normalizing problems, but it usually needs to be followed by finishing treatment after the permanent teeth fully erupt (excluding wisdom teeth).
Depends on how much of an overbite she has. 8 years old is a good age for an initial orthodontic screening. Frequently, no treatment is recommended age 8.
Usually, an “underbite” would be addressed at an early age if it is skeletal in nature. I would seek out an orthodontist for an examination. They may possibly ask you to return in a year or so if there is not an immediate concern.
Murdock Orthodontics
Murdock Orthodontics
Yes, often an overbite does need some kind of orthodontic treatment to correct it. She is at the perfect age to have an orthodontic evaluation. I strongly recommend that you contact an orthodontist in your area for a complementary evaluation.
Orthodontists are less concerned about excessive overbite (vertical overlap of the front teeth) at age 8 compared to excessive overjet (horizontal overlap of the front teeth). It's very possible that your orthodontist may choose to wait before starting treatment unless she is experiencing palatal impingement with tissue attachment loss.
Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer. There are a lot of different possibilities for your daughter's treatment. The only way to know for sure is for you to make an appointment with an orthodontist and have a thorough clinical examination and diagnostic records. This will give the orthodontist all of the information that they need to thoroughly study your daughter's individual case and determine the best treatment for her.
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
Hi! :o) We all should have an overbite and overjet. There are "normal" ranges for these tooth relationships. Any overbite over 20% or overjet over 2mm is considered too much. Braces or aligners can help move teeth into normal ranges, creating a perfect bite, and helping to create a beautiful smile!
See an orthodontist. Yes, braces can correct overbites, but it may not be the best time to address this bite problem.
Thanks,
Tony Skanchy, DMD, MDS
Thanks,
Tony Skanchy, DMD, MDS
