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Many parents assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to see Dr. Powell and Dr. Bre. for a consultation, only to discover treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven?

That’s right—seven.

Ok, so what’s so great about age seven, you ask? Enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Powell and Dr. Bre to make a determination about whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites and open bites can be detected.

Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification or problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.

Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and are detrimental to good oral hygiene. So, if your child is nearing his or her seventh birthday, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Once you've completed treatment Powell Orthodontics, we will provide you with retainers. Retainers are designed to hold teeth in their corrected positions until the bones and gums adapt to treatment changes. They provide stabilization and insure that your treatment changes last a lifetime.

Here are some things to remember when you receive your retainers:
Wear Them! They are only effective if they are in your mouth. Retainers should be worn all the time except when eating or playing contact sports.

Keep Them Clean! Clean all parts of the retainer with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Soak in denture cleaner as needed. It is not necessary to soak your retainer in water when not wearing. Do not boil the retainer to clean.

Handle Them With Care! Retainers are easier to lose than our think. Always place them in your retainer case for safety. Please keep them away from pets and small children. They are expensive to replace. If a retainer becomes lost or broken or does not fit properly please call our office.

Are you curious about how braces can transform your smile? At our Jenison, MI offices orthodontists Dr. Powell and Dr. Bre will show a computer simulation of how braces can transform your smile to correct overbites, the crowding of teeth, underbites, and more!

At Powell Orthodontics, we utilize the most sophisticated equipment and materials available, such as heat sensitive memory wires, clear ceramic braces, gold braces, traditional silver braces, and Invisalign.  Dr. Powell and Dr. Bre are Certified Invisalign Providers in Jenison, MI. For more information on our practice and orthodontic treatment options, give us a call today!

At Powell Orthodontics we believe that it is important for all children to visit an orthodontist by the age of 7 or 8 to check for growth guidance, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. It is the philosophy of  Dr. Mark Powell to treat each child as if they're one of his own, and he will recommend the best treatment for your child. Be sure to give us a call to learn more about our office and orthodontic treatment options options with Dr. Powell and Dr. Bre! Thank you!