Call us today! (865) 588-1644 1516 Coleman Road, Ste. 208 Knoxville, TN 37909 First Orthodontic Visit   First Orthodontic Visit The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children should have their first orthodontic visit by age 7. This is because by that age the first permanent molars should be erupted and the permanent incisors erupting. Problems such as crowding, misalignment, excessive overbite, and oral habits can be evaluated. At this point in development an accurate judgment regarding the developing occlusion can be made. For a small percentage of patients timely screening can yield a significant treatment benefit. For most, the main benefit of early screening is a better understanding of any future needs and/or the parents' peace of mind of knowing that their child’s needs are being met. The old idea of â€waiting until all the permanent teeth come in†before seeing an Orthodontist is definitely outmoded. If your child is seeing Dr. Powell for check-ups as a pediatric dental patient you already have the benefit of ongoing Orthodontic Screening every six months as part of your check-up visit. If you wish to arrange an Orthodontic Screening you do not have to be referred by your family dentist, although we welcome referrals for early screening. Please give us a call to arrange to be seen. Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment • Supervise and/or improve eruption problems • Correct harmful oral habits • Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth • Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth • Improve aesthetics and/or self esteem • Reduce the possibility of incisor trauma • Harmonize size or position of jaws • Eliminate functional disturbance • Influence jaw growth in a positive way • Improve outcome and/or shorten treatment time for later comprehensive orthodontics What is Accomplished on the First Orthodontic Visit? Regardless of your age, the purpose of the first orthodontic visit is the same, a thorough examination in order to determine the following: • Is treatment needed? • Is this the appropriate time to begin treatment? • What are the clinical challenges that must be resolved? • What method of treatment would most efficiently address the clinical problems? • What are the concerns and preferences of the adult patient, or the parents if a child or adolescent? • How long will treatment realistically take? • What will be the cooperation requirements? From the information obtained above we can conclude the initial visit by giving a preliminary diagnosis and “ballpark idea†of the length and cost of treatment.
The final diagnosis and treatment plan, however, are individualized for each patient after complete records (panoramic x-ray, cephalometric x-ray, impressions/diagnostic models, facial photos and intra-oral photos). These records may be taken at the initial visit or at a second appointment depending on circumstances.
In either event, after Dr. Powell carefully studies the records of each case he will review his findings and recommendations, in detail, with you at a consultation visit. Often both parents will wish to be present at the consultation appointment.  Phillip B. Powell DDS, MS Orthodontics For Adults and Children And Pediatric Dentistry 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday thru Thursday by Appointment Only  |
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