The truth is that you don’t have to wait for your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist. It may seem unorthodox in the health care industry as the typical norm in many other scenarios is for a doctor to refer to a specialist. (We understand where the confusion comes from!) However, this is most certainly not the case when it comes to orthodontic treatment. Let’s dive deeper as to why!
Parents are often the first ones to recognize something is “off” or not right when it comes to their child’s smile, teeth or jaws. As a parent, you may assume your dentist is aware of this as well. You may be waiting for the right time for your dentist to make the suggestion to visit an orthodontist. However, if your dentist is not evaluating your child’s bite – the anticipated referral may not happen. A dentist usually looks at the overall health of the mouth and teeth. They can be focused on other things such as how well your child is brushing or flossing, or if they have any cavities. Orthodontists have a different perspective than dentists. The focus of an orthodontist is to evaluate the bite of your child.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first check-up no later than age 7. Remember, orthodontists are specially trained to evaluate children’s growth as well as the exchange of their baby teeth for permanent teeth. At Windermere Orthodontics we can determine if a problem exists, catch one if it is developing and prevent further complications.
Contact us for your child’s orthodontic consultation at Windermere Orthodontics in Suwanee or Cumming. Remember, no referral is necessary! It is better to check in early rather than let problems develop and become worse down the road.
– Dr. Gorlovsky