Orthodontic treatment…what is the timing and what are the warning signs? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that parents understand the early warning signs of an orthodontic problem and recommends kids be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7 – 8. Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and a greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Well timed intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
There are many different types malocclusions or bite problems that require orthodontic treatment at the orthodontic office of Dr. Lisa P. Howard DDS MS. Below is a list of the most common orthodontic treatment problems seen today in children, teens and adults.
Contact our office in Scarborough ME to schedule a complimentary consultation to determine how we can help you with your orthodontic needs. It is not necessary to have a referral from you general dentist to take advantage of this complimentary service we provide to all our patients. We are here to serve you and help you to have the smile you have always wanted and deserved.Read More
When parents visit the orthodontic office of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS, it is not uncommon for them to worry if their child’s baby teeth do not fall out on time. Infants rollover, sit, walk, and talk at different stages of their development. The same is true when your child is losing baby teeth. There are some developmental issues which require professional attention, but in general, what should parents expect when their kids start losing baby teeth? 
Sun safety means being smart in the sun. Now that summertime is upon us, kids are spending more time outside, families are going to more outdoor outings and many are heading out on vacation. Join Dr. Lisa P. Howard DDS MS and the EWG (
July Fourth is Independence Day and summer is here in full force and half the year has already zoomed by. Our team at the office of Dr. Lisa P. Howard DDS MS researched some fun facts about our country’s most celebrated holiday which hallmarks our independence as a nation.
Busy lifestyles and a multitude of distractions make it very difficult for kids and families today to eat a meal together. Most of us at the orthodontic practice of Lisa P. Howard DDS MS often find ourselves eating on the run between busy work schedules, dance lessons, sports practices and games, school activities, karate lessons … the list is endless. Not to mention how difficult it is to steer our kids away from the distractions of computer games and TV. 
Some parents at our orthodontic office ask if stopping a child’s nail biting habit is another positive effect of orthodontic treatment. Since nail biting can be harmful to braces by breaking brackets and bending wires that delays treatment, Dr. Lisa P. Howard DDS MS feels that finding ways to curtail the habit is in our patient’s best interest.