Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Smile

As a parent in St. Peters or Wentzville, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.

Dr. Humphrey will treat your children like our own by giving them the best possible orthodontic care.

Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By 7

By age seven, your child's teeth have developed enough for Dr. Humphrey to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth before all of your child’s baby teeth are lost.

This check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine, and braces for kids aren't necessary.

Or, Dr. Humphrey may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child.

In other cases, Dr. Humphrey might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

Orthodontic Info
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What Is Early Treatment?

Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

In some cases, Dr. Humphrey can achieve results that may not be possible once your child’s face and jaws have finished growing.

Signs the Bite's Not Right

It's not always easy to tell when your child may need braces or has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite.

Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty chewing or biting
  • Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
  • Protruding teeth
  • Breathing through the mouth
  • Thumb-sucking
  • Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
  • Jaws that are too far forward or back
  • Upper and lower teeth that don't meet, or meet in an abnormal way
  • An unbalanced facial appearance
  • Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Choosing the Best Time for Treatment

While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they’re treated early.

If Dr. Humphrey thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment. This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:

  • Guide jaw growth
  • Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
  • Correct harmful oral habits
  • Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child
  • Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
  • Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face

Learn More at Your Free Consultation

If your child has a dental issue, please contact us by setting up a free consultation at our St. Peters or Wentzville office.

We can talk about your child's orthodontic options and develop a treatment plan customized to your child's needs.

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