Does your child suck their thumb? Perhaps they aren't losing their teeth as soon as the rest of their classmates. Maybe you've noticed a speech impediment forming as their permanent teeth come in. Though it may seem too soon to consider corrective dentistry, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that parents take their children to a dental professional for an orthodontic checkup by age 7. Here are some reasons why your Decatur orthodontist wants to evaluate your child's teeth as soon as possible:

Still growing

A child's bones and facial structure are still taking shape, meaning that alignment problems in the jaw and teeth are easier to correct. As people age, their bones become more rigid, which makes their bite more difficult to adjust through traditional methods. This makes children and teenagers between the ages of 7 and 14 the best candidates for the first phase of orthodontia, which involves rerouting the growth pattern of the emerging adult teeth. Even though at this point, adult teeth are still coming in, the crowding and irregular formation that necessitates treatment can be anticipated by a trained professional.

Intervention means prevention

Identifying and fixing orthodontic issues early in life will likely mean fewer problems in the future. Poor habits can be modified, appearance can be improved, and more invasive dental procedures can be avoided later in life.

Saving money

As mentioned before, the processes for realigning teeth for adults is much more complicated and extensive than that of younger people. When the teeth are fixed into place and the skull has finished growing, the dental appliances used for children will have little or no effect. More invasive and long-term - and therefore more expensive - procedures are typically used for adults with alignment problems.

Call Corley Family Dental Today!

Each orthodontic case is unique, so discussing your options with Drs. Natalie and Chad Corley, your child's Decatur-based dentists, to devise a plan is essential.

Are you a patient of Corley Family Dental? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!

While it would be wonderful to have perfectly straight teeth unfortunately, most people just aren’t that lucky. From overcrowding to dental gaps to crooked teeth, there are several reasons you may not have that ideal smile. However, orthodontics has been successfully improving smiles of all ages. If you’ve been contemplating how braces could help you, here is what to expect if you decide to get orthodontics in Decatur:

The Consultation

Getting Your Braces

The Treatment Process

Call Corley Family Dental Today!

Citizens of Decatur, it’s time to know the importance of healthy teeth and what we have to offer for you. From routine cleanings and fillings to bruxism devices, Corley Family Dental is prepared to handle all of your dental needs. 

The Importance of Dental Health

What We Offer to Help Our Patients

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Crowns and Bridges
• Specialty Dentures
• Fillings - General Dentistry
• Dental Implants
• Orthodontic Treatment (Braces & Invisalign)
• Sealants - children's dentistry
• Root Canal Therapy
• Extractions
• Scaling and Root Planing

• Bonding – Tooth colored material is used to close gaps or change tooth color
• Contouring and reshaping – Straightens crooked, chipped, cracked or overlapping teeth.
• Veneers – Coatings, which are placed over the front teeth. Made to match the color of your natural teeth or can be made whiter.
• Teeth Whitening