Today is my daughter’s 10th birthday. Being a mother has been a wonderful and amazing experience. It has also given me insight into what mothers want for their children and my ability to provide that environment and treatment in their orthodontic care. I have always taken the approach “What if this was my child?”

Recently I completed an early phase of treatment for my daughter that involved fixed braces for about 4 months.  Many parents will question whether or not something is necessary or beneficial when weighing the costs against it.  I also realize that providing treatment to my own child is more affordable than if I were paying someone else to do it. However, my motivation for recommending early treatment is always in the best interests of my patients.  For my daughter, I was able to reduce her bite problem and create space for better eruption of her permanent teeth.

Early intervention addresses skeletal problems, corrects asymmetries or deviations from the normal path of development that will then lead to better harmony and function or allows us to maintain or regain space to avoid dental extractions.  It does not prevent the need for full braces later on if the expectation is perfectly straight teeth.  Early treatment is much more about function and improving prognoses than esthetics.  Communicating this with the parents and patients in our practice allows us to bring expectations into realistic and achievable boundaries.  When the benefits of early treatment are then demonstrated over time, parents are able to appreciate the wisdom of their investment in their child’s oral health, self esteem and well being.

I look forward to blogging to my orthodontic patients, parents, friends and this wonderful community of Woodstock.  Please contact me if you have any comments or questions you would like to see addressed.

Happy Birthday Juka!! xo