The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Jun/July/August 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com ROBERT J. BRUZZICHESI, DMD 20 North Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge 121 Main Street, Whitehouse Station 10 Wilmot Street, Morristown 908-766-0111 drborthodontics.com Robert J. Bruzzichesi, DMD Have you noticed more young kids with braces these days? Why so young? Don’t they still have baby teeth? When should I take my child to see the ortho- dontist for the first time? According to the American Associa- tion of Orthodontists, the best age for children to be seen by an orthodontist for the first time is 7. Why age 7? As you might guess, not every orthodontic prob- lem can be treated at age 7. Surprisingly however, most problems can be identi- fied by that age. Here are a few things that I’ll look for at your child’s first visit. Tooth Loss and Eruption: Baby teeth are lost in a fairly specific order. Deviations from this pattern may indicate that a child has developmental issues that need attention. Between the ages of 6 and 8, it is normal for a child to lose his first eight primary teeth. Sometimes removing a primary tooth early or main- taining a space where a tooth has been lost prematurely can prevent bigger problems later on. Crowding and Spacing: By age 7 it is possible to tell if a child has a problem with excessive crowding or spacing. Spacing may mean that a baby tooth has been lost prematurely, a tooth never developed, or that the teeth are just too small. Crowding may require that the arches be expanded or that teeth be removed to help improve the situation. Jaw Alignment: By age 7 some skeletal jaw discrepancies can be seen. These can include a skeletal overbite (class II), a skeletal underbite (class III), a narrow palate, etc. These jaw discrepan- cies are best treated earlier to achieve a skeletal response in the growing child. Tooth Alignment: Crooked teeth are often more susceptible to uneven wear or damage due to trauma, and crooked teeth or overbite can also impact a child’s self-esteem. Early treatment can prevent these issues from happening. Protrusive Front Teeth: If the front teeth stick out farther than is safe or attractive, or the jaws are mismatched, it is best to correct this issue early as well. Underbites: If the lower front teeth hit or protrude beyond the upper front teeth (“traumatic occlusion”), damage to these teeth often results. Sometimes this is a skeletal issue requiring orthope- dic correction to align the jaws properly. Posterior Crossbites: Not only do posterior crossbites create crowding, they may also cause the jaw to shift lat- erally (to one side or the other). Expand- ing the upper jaw at age 7 can reduce the crowding and create the space nec- essary for the eruption of the front teeth, as well as eliminate any shifting that may be present due to a constricted upper arch. Anterior Openbites and Deep- bites: By age 7 it is possible to detect vertical problems with the bite. Bites that are too deep (where the top teeth com- pletely cover the bottom ones when bit- ing) may indicate that the patient has a small lower jaw. Bites that don’t overlap enough (openbites) may signal that there is a finger or tongue habit that may be causing dental problems. I recommend screening ALL young patients at age 7 so that these and other conditions can be identified and correct- ed as early as possible. Interceptive treat- ment can make the final results faster, better, and give your children an addi- tional three to four years of having a great smile at an age when their self- image is developing. If you have a child who is 7 or older please set up a compli- mentary consultation today! And remember my office motto - No matter what age you are SMILE, LIFE IS GOOD!! WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR MY CHILD TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST? ORBERA ™ Intragastric Balloon is a New Treatment in Battle Against Obesity Start Your ORBERA ™ Journey Right Here, Right Now Simple Design Portion Control 3x the Weight Loss of Diet & Exercise Alone We specialize in Gastroenterology, which is the treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. %$&% (& ( &" + ( & %+$ $(& &"* "##' %&%) ! ( #(%$ )"( "' ( + , Harvard Graduate, Robert J. Bruzzichesi, DMD Participates with Most Major Insurances drborthodontics.com 20 North Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge 10 Wilmot Street, Morristown 908.766.0111 NJ Specialty Permit #5222 Got Braces? $50 Charitable Contribution made for Every Set of Braces Placed. PAGE 23