Child's 1^st Visit

Child's First Dental Visit

Prior to your initial visit you will receive a welcome packet from our office. We will ask you to fill out several forms that will get you acquainted with our office and allow us to get acquainted with you. Please be prepared for your visit by completing all insurance and health information forms that will allow us to begin your child's dental treatment. If your child has any special needs or concerns please alert us of how to make your child's visit the best possible. If this is your child's first visit to the dentist, we recommend arriving early to the office to acclimate your child to the new environment. There are several books in the reception area that review what a visit to the dentist is all about.
We reserve our morning hours for initial exams and new patients. Your child's visit may last approximately one hour. Oral hygiene instructions will be provided along with suggestions to help your child care for their teeth. In most cases your child's teeth will be cleaned and necessary x-rays will be taken on this visit. We shall provide an evaluation that will outline your child's existing dental problems, possible orthodontic needs and proposed treatment.
We look forward to making your first visit with us informative and fun!

Child's First Orthodontic Visit

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should first be evaluated by an orthodontist around age seven. Contrary to popular belief, you don't always have to wait for all the permanent teeth to come in to solve orthodontic problems. An early orthodontic examination when both permanent and baby teeth are present will allow us to detect or intercept problems early, and help ensure maximum dental and facial development for your children. Some treatment options are lost once bony growth has stopped.
If your child exhibits any of the following conditions, it is time to have an orthodontic evaluation. Please call our office to set up an initial examination.

• Difficulty chewing
• Openbite or mouth breathing
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Jaw that click or pop
• Overlapping or crowding of teeth
• Missing permanent teeth
• Obvious abnormal bite development

The complexity of each child's individual problem will dictate the extent of the initial examination and diagnostic procedures. At the initial exam, photographs of the face and teeth are taken to provide a record of the child's facial appearance. Several types of x-rays may also be needed to properly diagnose the malocclusion. Most commonly used are panoramic and cephalometric x-rays. Finally, if treatment is warranted, impressions of the teeth are taken. These study models provide a baseline reference of the current relationship of the teeth and jaws.