Taking Your Special Needs Child to the Orthodontist

Most parents can expect some challenges when taking their kids to the orthodontist for the first time. But if you’re taking your special needs child to the orthodontist, it helps to be extra prepared before you make your visit. Luckily, our team here at Milnor Orthodontics is experienced with providing orthodontic treatment for kids with special needs, so you can count on us to help make the visits go by smoothly.

Preparing to Take Your Special Needs Child to the Orthodontist

The biggest key to success when it comes to orthodontic visits for kids with special needs is preparation. When you schedule your appointment, be sure to let us know about your child’s needs so we can create a comfortable environment for them. One simple way to make appointments easier is to request a time when our office isn’t as busy. Generally, if there are fewer rowdy kids in the lobby, the environment will feel safer for your child.

Be sure to also let us know what aspects of dental visits are generally difficult for your child, such as bright lights, unfamiliar smells, or other sensory issues. We’ll do everything we can to reduce the stress of the environment so your child gets through the appointment comfortably.

Collaborating with Your Dentist

Another way we help kids with special needs during orthodontic visits is by communicating with your dentist beforehand. We’ll gather any helpful information about what helps make them comfortable so we can create the best experience for them. If your child has a hard time with x-rays, which is fairly common for kids with autism or other sensory issues due to the mouthpiece, we can see if recent x-rays from your dentist will suffice.

Another way your dentist can help is by removing braces once treatment is all done. Since your child’s relationship with an orthodontist is typically more short-term than with their dentist, your may simply be more comfortable with their current dentist. Dentists also often have access to nitrous oxide or other means of making your child more relaxed during the braces removal process.

Orthodontic Treatment for Kids with Special Needs at Milnor Orthodontics

Your child may not need a full set of braces or Invisalign to get straight teeth. When they visit our office, we can see if there are partial orthodontic treatment options that would improve their smile. These options are often shorter and easier to handle, giving your child a better chance of success.

During the initial visit, you can also expect an easier assessment process compared to some other orthodontic offices. Our office makes use of the i-Tero scanner to gather dental images , an essential part of the treatment process. Rather than using messy and unpleasant clay, which takes five minutes or more, this process takes one minute and doesn’t create any discomfort.

If you have any questions about how our office can make your child’s visit better and about appointment times, feel free to contact our office today!