Did You Know The AAO Recommends That Children Get An Orthodontic Evaluation At Age 7?

By Dr. Aesha Chaudhry

This may seem very young to some parents, but there are reasons for this recommendation. 

At age 7, children usually have their first permanent molars, which help establish the back of the bite. 

It is also at this age that an orthodontist can guide the eruption of adult teeth, which is one of the most significant benefits of early orthodontic exams. 

What are the situations we are looking for?

• Underbites – when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth
• Crossbites – when the jaw shifts to one side
• Very crowded teeth
• Excessively spaced teeth
• Extra or missing teeth
• Teeth that meet abnormally, or don’t meet at all
• Thumb-, finger-, or pacifier-sucking that is affecting the teeth or jaw growth

How does the orthodontist diagnose these concerns?

With modern technology orthodontists use clinical exam, panoramic and cephalometric radiographs and often times 3D scanning to evaluate and determine each child’s needs. 

What is the orthodontist trying to do?

• Ensure proper teeth and jaw function
• Create a healthy smile and facial structure
• Maintain a good bite for easier chewing and speaking
• Prevent tooth decay/loss by making teeth easier to clean
• Avoid expensive dental procedures that could result from untreated orthodontic issues

What is the goal of the orthodontist? 

• Improved alignment of teeth and jaws
• Lower risk of dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease
• Fewer dental emergencies
• Improved oral hygiene
• A beautiful smile

If your child needs early intervention this is what you should expect  

Some conditions are continuously monitored while the child is growing. If active treatment is recommended it usually comes with specific goals and a shorter treatment time of 12-18 months. 

If you are ready for an orthodontic evaluation for yourself or your child Crystal Clear Orthodontics offers consultations at no cost. 

Our goal at Crystal Clear Orthodontics is to provide each patient with a truly unique experience. Dr. Aesha Chaudhry brings two decades of experience and skill to her practice. She is a dual-trained specialist with degrees in both orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. 

Even though Crystal Clear Orthodontics excels in working with children, it is important to remember we treat patients of all ages ranging from 6 to 86. So, we often find ourselves treating parents and children together, leading to a great lesson on the importance of retainer wear.

The goal at Crystal Clear Orthodontics is to help everyone feel more confident about their smile. We use state-of-the-art equipment to provide individualized treatment options that work for your lifestyle. This customized care is provided with traditional braces and Invisalign aligners.

Bio

Dr. Aesha Chaudhry was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. She attended Rosemont college where she received a full merit scholarship. She completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Upon completion of dental school Dr. Chaudhry has continued to further her education and pursuit for knowledge in the field of dentistry. She completed a general practice residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Her love for children led her to Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY where she trained as a pediatric dentist.  She is a board-certified pediatric dentist that spent more than a decade working with children and those with special needs. 

Her desire to grow both personally and professionally she completed her orthodontic residency at NYU Langone.

While not working, Dr. Chaudhry enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband and three children love to travel, bike and hike. But above all they love family movie night.

Testimonial

“⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I highly recommend Dr. Chaudhry. Her background in pediatric dentistry and expertise in orthodontics is obvious. My daughters are 9 and 10. Both have very different orthodontic needs and Dr. Chaudhry took her time to listen to my concerns, thoroughly explained her diagnostic impressions and recommendations, and answered all my questions. She is compassionate, genuine, super detailed and obviously committed to the highest standards of care. With the X-rays in hand, I was amazed by her ability to offer so much knowledge in a manner that my daughters were even able to follow along. The office is also beautiful, and her administrator has been equally helpful with scheduling and navigating records request. I’m referring all my friends and family to Dr. Chaudhry.” – Dalissy Washington

Crystal Clear Orthodontics

302-412-9646    www CrystalClearOrthodontics.com

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1805 Foulk Road, Suite C & D , Wilmington, Delaware