Big Fixes for Little Teeth

by GREG TASKER

When most of us think of children with braces, we tend to imagine middle or high school students with a mouth full of metal brackets. These days, however, more and more young children— those between the ages of 7 and 12—are benefitting from early intervention in orthodontic treatment.

“Seeing children earlier has become more of an emphasis in orthodontics,” says Dr. Madelyn Stumpos, who owns and runs Traverse City Orthodontics and works with children of all ages. “It is beneficial to see kids early so we can evaluate if they need any early intervention treatment. Early treatment, which occurs while some baby teeth are still present, can guide the growth of facial and jaw bones into a better growth pattern and provide more space for the adult teeth. This can provide for a better long-term outcome.”

In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association recommend all kids be evaluated for orthodontics by age 7. By this age, the orthodontist can detect problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Most kids begin active treatment between ages 9 and 14.

“Things go a lot easier when we have early intervention,” says Dr. Maddy, as her patients call her. “More and more research shows that we can find a better treatment plan when we start at a younger age.”

She recently moved to Traverse City last summer after practicing in the Denver, Colorado, area. A native of Lansing, Stumpos earned her doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Her philosophy? A visit to the orthodontist at an earlier age doesn’t necessarily mean braces. “It can simply mean working with children before their adult teeth are established to address any issues of concern,” she says.

Those concerns can range from crooked and crowded teeth to problems with jaw growth to bite malocclusions, such as crossbites, overbites and underbites. Early treatment can correct or improve conditions in young, growing children. Intervention at a young age can also turn a severe problem that could require jaw surgery into a moderate problem that can be treated with braces at a later age.

“A lot of times early treatment is to help the jaws fit together,” says Stumpos. “It doesn’t mean you need braces at the time. We want to be efficient with our treatment plans.”

Those braces options include clear and metal braces that are made of the latest technology in high-grade stainless steel. Stumpos also offers clear aligner therapy such as Invisalign or Spark and in-house clear aligners. Braces and retainers come in a variety of colors.

“It’s nice to say, ‘We don’t need to do anything right now; we just want to watch you grow,’” she says. “It’s a bummer when someone comes in who is done growing and there are issues. It makes it more complicated. It’s harder in terms of treatment options.”

In addition to a welcoming environment full of toys and patients’ colored pictures brightening the walls, Stumpos and her team also make each patient feel like they’re the most important person in the place, she says. “We give them a lot of attention and make kids feel important to help the process go a lot smoother,” she explains. That attention also extends to moments of anxiousness or minor discomfort. “We tell them gently, ‘We’ll give you a break when it’s safe,’” Stumpos says. “We give them all the time they need.”