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THAT LAST A LIFETIME
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YOUR NEW SMILE
DISCOVER
YOUR NEW SMILE
HEALTHY SMILES
THAT LAST A LIFETIME
WE CREATE
BEAUTIFUL SMILES
HEALTHY SMILES
THAT LAST A LIFETIME
DISCOVER
YOUR NEW SMILE
HEALTHY SMILES
THAT LAST A LIFETIME
WE CREATE
BEAUTIFUL SMILES
WE CREATE
BEAUTIFUL SMILES
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Early
Treatment

You probably know that it's never too late to begin orthodontic treatment — but when it comes to your youngster's teeth, did you know that earlier may be better than later? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, kids should have an initial orthodontic screening at age 7. What makes early evaluation — and potentially, early treatment — so important?

There are several ways that kids can benefit from seeing an orthodontist at an early age. But it's important to recognize that early evaluation isn't necessarily followed by early treatment; in most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, we simply monitor your child's growth patterns until we see that it's time for treatment to begin. This gives us an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.

Although every child's development is different, in most kids the first adult molars have typically started to emerge by around age six. This, along with other developmental markers, lets us get a handle on the basic alignment of the teeth, from front to back and side to side. It may also be possible at this point to determine whether there is adequate room in the mouth for all of the permanent teeth — and, if not, to take action.

When Earlier Treatment Is Better

Treatment for common orthodontic problems typically begins around age 9-14, when all of the baby teeth are gone and many of the permanent ones are in place. But there are some conditions that are much easier to treat if they're caught at an early age, when a child's natural growth processes are going full speed ahead.

  • Crossbite - One is severe crossbite, a condition where the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth. To treat this problem, a device called a palatal expander can be used, which gradually and painlessly widens the upper jaw; it's especially effective when the jaw itself hasn't fully developed. If we wait too long, a more complicated treatment — or even oral surgery — might be required to correct the problem.
  • Crowding - Another condition that may benefit from early treatment is severe crowding. This occurs when the jaws are too small to accommodate all of the permanent teeth. Either palatal expansion or tooth extraction may be recommended at this point, to help the adult teeth erupt (emerge from below the gums) properly. Even if braces are required later, the treatment time will likely be shorter and less complicated.
  • Protruding teeth - Early intervention may also be helpful in resolving several other problems. Protruding teeth, especially in front, can be prone to chipping and fractures; they may also lead to problems with a child's self-image. A severe underbite, caused by the lower jaw growing much larger than the upper jaw, can result in serious bite problems. Orthodontic appliances, including braces and headgear, can be successfully used to correct these problems at this stage, when the child's development is in full swing, thereby increasing the chances that surgery can be avoided.

Correcting Bad Habits

At one time or another, anyone may pick up a bad habit. But there are some situations where a youngster's parafunctional (detrimental to health) habits can actually influence the development and function of his or her teeth, jaws and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The sucking reflex is natural in early childhood; it usually disappears between ages 2 and 4. But if it persists much later, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can actually cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This can lead to the orthodontic problem called “open bite,” and may impair speech. An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth (tongue thrusting).

Mouth breathing — an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open, passing air directly to the lungs — is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. It may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical difficulty, it can become a habitual action that's hard to break.

Various orthodontic treatments are available to help correct these parafunctional habits — and the sooner they're taken care of, the less damage they may cause. But these potential problems aren't always easy to recognize. That's one more reason why you should bring your child in for an early orthodontic screening.

early treatment

At Parigini Orthodontics, your smile is our top priority! We maintain a commitment of excellence in every facet of our practice.
Contact us today for an appointment – we look forward to meeting you and seeing you smile!
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What Our Patients
ARE SAYING
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“Dr. Parigini and all the staff are very warm, friendly, and extraordinarily skilled. Enjoyed each and every visit and my smile is unbelievable! Even as an adult orthodontic patient, definitely worth it!“ - Janis D.
“Dr. Parigini is the bomb.com! He took very good care of me and my teeth. Thanks to him I have a beautiful smile! All the waiting was well worth it. Thank you Dr. Parigini!“ - Caroline K.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am and how both Jack and Jordan’s teeth came out after 1.5 years! They are thrilled with their smiles. Your office staff has been amazing as well as the orthodontic assistants. I always refer you guys.“ - Jackie S.
“My experience with Dr. Parigini and his staff has been nothing short of amazing. I can honestly say I had no pain and no problems. I would recommend treatment to anyone. I’m very grateful!“ - Kim B.
“Dear Dr. Parigini and staff, a special thank you to everyone for helping to correct my smile this past year. The result is awesome. I’m really happy to move on beyond the rubber bands!“ - Jeanne H.
“Love the atmosphere and excellent customer service.“ - Valerie B.
“To the crew – with sincere appreciation! You are all so wonderful, talented and kind! Thank you so much for all your hard work! Much thanks.“ - Emily B.
“My experience with Dr. Parigini was great! Every time I have an appointment everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming! Thank you very much! I really enjoy the results!“ - Garrett S.
“Dr. Parigini and team are the most professional, compassionate dental office I have ever been in. I am so happy with my new smile! I would highly recommend them! Thank you so much.“ - Nancy M.
“Thanks to everyone! I couldn’t be happier with my new smile! Many thanks.“ - Kathleen C.
“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kind and professional care over the last two years! I truly appreciate everything. Best regards.“ - Sue B.
“Absolutely perfect! Any questions were answered so that we understood and any concerns were solved in the best way. He definitely knows what he is doing and you can tell that his main goal is to give people smiles that make them confident. I couldn’t be happier with how my smile tuned out.“ - Louisa S.
“Dr. Parigini and his staff have been amazing. I am so happy with my new smile and straight teeth.“ - Caitlin H.
“Many thanks to Dr. Parigini and his helpful staff! Big smiles from the Bray Family today!“ - The Bray Family
“I have had such a wonderful experience with Dr. Parigini and all his beautiful staff members. I feel so much more confident all ready with straight teeth with an approved smile. Thank you so much ! :)“ - Zoe D.
“Dr. Parigini was the best orthodontist, him and his staff made me feel great. You guys are the best. Thank you for everything!“ - Damaris J.
“When I first went here I was really scared. But when I met Dr. Parigini I knew I had nothing to worry about. Everyone here was so nice that I almost got to the point where I was looking forward to get my braces tightened. Thank you so much for making my teeth straight.“ - Sarah D.
Minden OFFICE
1702 County Road, Suite G
Minden, NV 89423
Fax: (775) 782-3620


Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Stateline OFFICE
276 Kingsbury Grade Road, Suite 201
Stateline, NV 89449
Fax: (775) 782-3620


Office Hours
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed for lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Closed for lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.