12-year-old girl grateful for timely orthodontic treatment at Elite Dental Center

Her father, Ha Vi Tri, took her to Elite Dental Center for treatment based on his own childhood experience and strong belief in the center’s expertise.

Now, both father and daughter are happy to watch Khan smile confidently at every social occasion and school function, free from worries about her crossbite disfigurement.

Parents considering braces for their children often wonder when is the best time to start orthodontic treatment, said Dr. Do Quynh Nhu, the orthodontist at Elite Dental Center who is responsible for treating Khan.

General dental problems are rampant. Specialist dental services are overlooked for problems with overbite, misalignment, underbite, deep bite, open bite or crossbite.

“These are serious issues that require immediate attention,” said Dr. Nhu, executive member of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Orthodontists.

Common children’s dental problems before orthodontic treatment are overbite, misalignment, underbite, deep bite, open bite, or crossbite problems. Photo courtesy of Elite Dental Center

There are hundreds of dental clinics in HCMC and Elite Dental Center offers specialized dental services.

Dr. Nhu emphasized the importance of early recognition of orthodontic problems as it makes the correction process more manageable.

Preventive orthodontic treatment addresses current problems and helps prevent more serious problems as the child grows.

The doctor said that starting braces for children as early as possible is not necessarily beneficial. The timing has to be right.

The basic age range for orthodontic treatment in children is between 6 and 12 years, which is the mixed dentition stage.

“This phase is advantageous because the jawbones are actively developing and children are losing primary teeth and erupting permanent teeth. These factors make it absolutely optimal for widening the dental arches, aligning the jawbones and correctly positioning the teeth,” he explained.

Accordingly, parents should take their children to a specialist orthodontist, especially at the age of 6-7 years, to assess the development of the jaw, supervise the transition from primary to permanent teeth and identify any early abnormalities. Orthodontic treatment for children involves the use of dental appliances such as braces, welded brackets with archwires or clear aligners to align the child’s teeth in the correct positions in the dental arch.

This treatment helps children achieve a confident smile with well-aligned teeth while supporting optimal chewing function and oral hygiene.

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are best suited for orthodontic treatment, according to Dr. Do Quynh Nhu. Photo courtesy of Elite Dental Center

Dr. Nhu explained that after 12, when most permanent teeth erupt or jaw growth is almost complete, orthodontic treatment becomes more demanding. In some cases, tooth extractions or jaw surgery may even be necessary.

With over a decade of experience, Dr. Nhu leads a comprehensive team of orthodontists at Elite Dental Center.

The team has a proven track record, with hundreds of successful cases identifying bite problems in young children and providing prompt intervention.

The center has a team of skilled pediatric orthodontists dedicated to providing top-notch care to pediatric patients.

These specialists regularly attend specialized training courses abroad to stay at the forefront of the latest developments in developmental orthodontics, ensuring that their patients receive the most effective and advanced treatments.

Elite Dental Center now operates three state-of-the-art clinics in the central districts of HCMC. These clinics are equipped with imported modern facilities and the staff strictly adheres to safety guidelines.

The facilities are carefully designed to meet the unique needs of young patients, including a play area that ensures children can relax and feel comfortable before their appointments.

Elite Dental Center is preparing a playground for children. Photo courtesy of Elite Dental Center

“The dentists and staff understand the children’s psyche. I did not feel afraid when I first visited the center for treatment, as well as during subsequent visits,” Han recalled.

Dr. Nhu confirmed: “Our doctors and staff are fluent in Vietnamese, English and French. We all consider the importance of warm and easy communication as a key commitment to our young patients and their parents in providing excellent dental care services.”