7 year old son (pain, dentist, teeth, doctor)

[KylieEve]

My son has a gap between his adult front top two teeth. The dentist mentioned that he could fix this now. I'm not sure I want to do this right now. Isn't there a chance that gap could close by itself? The adult teeth are not totally in yet.

[grannynancy]

I had the gap and wound up having it corrected surgically after attempts at closing it with braces did not work. I was about 10 at the time. I would ask the doctor why it is important now. I think it may possibly close if the eye teeth are not in yet.

If the tissue is overly large (the frenum) between the front teeth then the tissue probably needs to be clipped

Google diastema. Even as a 10 year old the surgey was no big deal (though I am older and had ether - yes - ETHER which made me puke something awful -- they don't use that anymore)

[lifelongMOgal]

Yes, they are finding that the earlier orthodontic problems are diagnosed and treated the better in the long run for the child. Treating this early may very well prevent additional orthodontic challenges and treatment for your child as well as reducing his total pain factor during those treatments.