Every parent wants their child to smile with confidence, and a consultation with your orthodontist is one of the best approaches to ensuring that goal. However orthodontic treatment, especially during your child’s younger years, has many benefits… beyond straight teeth and a healthy bite. At Lenz Orthodontics we see children as young as seven (7) to prevent future issues and adjust for them before they become larger problems, which can be more difficult or invasive to treat.
Early treatment can:
PREVENT OVERCROWDING:
Many parents think that age 12 or 13 is the right age for orthodontics, but we’re here to tell you that for something like a crowding problem isn’t going to get any better by waiting. Through early treatment we can regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, creating additional space for permanent teeth. This can lessen or decrease the possibility of permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth and can even help correct abnormal swallowing or speech problems.

AVOID CROSSBITES:
A crossbite is when you close your mouth and some of your upper teeth are sitting inside your lower teeth — rather than on the outside. A trained eye can see early on if crossbites will be an issue as the rest of your child’s permanent teeth come in. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it will be because your child’s jaw is less developed at this early age and can be guided along the right path rather than working to reverse issues at a later age.

IMPROVE BREATHING
One important area that Dr. Lenz places great importance on is airway orthodontics. At this age especially, Dr. Mike can help guide developing children’s airways while the patient is still growing in order to help with snoring and healthy breathing. Some parents come to us for this reason alone! If you’ve noticed some of the following behaviors in your child, an early orthodontic consult is a smart idea:
Insomnia or difficulty sleeping (tossing and turning or night sweats)
Loud snoring at night
Waking up at night short of breath
Long pauses in breathing
Chronic mouth breathing during sleep
Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
Changes in mood, misbehaviour or decline in school performance
Hyperactivity or inattention (in some cases children who are diagnosed with ADHD are actually not hyperactive but rather are showing the clinical symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, also referred to as OSA.)

SIMPLIFY TREATMENT:
Early treatment (Phase 1), when indicated, can simplify later treatment (Phase 2). Children who undergo early treatment often have a much shorter second phase of treatment once their permanent teeth come in - and sometimes don’t need phase 2 at all! This makes life easier for both them and you as their schedules get busier and busier.
At Lenz Orthodontics we strive to make children’s visits comfortable and positive:
No more goop! At Lenz Orthodontics we have a state-of-the-art, iTero® Element™ digital scanner, which is used to take 3D impressions on each child, allowing us to permanently retire that uncomfortable, gooey, impression material many of us adults (not-so-fondly) remember.

Family oriented: We strive to provide a positive, warm and friendly atmosphere to all of our patients, especially young children. We know that the first impressions we make can impact their attitude toward not only orthodontic care but also healthcare as a whole.
In fact, Dr. Michael Lenz is proud to carry on the family legacy as a third-generation orthodontist, with Lenz Orthodontics serving the same community since 1982. He combines advanced orthodontic expertise with a warm, welcoming approach so kids (and their parents) feel comfortable from their first complimentary consultation to their “smile reveal” at the end of treatment
Two convenient locations: Lenz Orthodontics has locations in Racine and Waterford.

“We are on our third kiddo in treatment here! Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable. Each kiddos smile journey has been different and unique to their needs.”
-Dawn A.

Our friendly team is waiting to answer any of your questions and start you or your child on a path to a gorgeous smile. Click below to schedule a complimentary consultation.
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