EARLY OBSERVATION
We always take patients, but sometimes it takes patience.
Timing is everything when it comes to orthodontic treatment for children. Too soon means too long in braces. Not only that, overtreatment with braces can actually damage teeth.
If a child’s adult teeth are still growing in, we’ll recommend we wait.
Your child can enter our early observation program for return visits every 6 months until it’s the right time for treatment.
If an orthodontic treatment is not necessary at your child’s initial consultation, our doctors will recommend that the procedure is postponed until more permanent teeth have erupted.
It is important for children to see a qualified orthodontist early in life to determine whether there are any developmental malformations occurring and to explore potential treatment options.
Our team of board-certified orthodontic specialists offer a comprehensive selection of orthodontic treatments for children that can help your child develop a straighter, more uniform set of teeth and an improved bite. These advanced treatments can ultimately lead to a bright, confident smile for years to come!
What Age Can My Child Start Orthodontics?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have an orthodontic evaluation by the time they have turned 7 years-old. This is typically the age for which children have begun developing permanent teeth, which allows orthodontists to formulate a better assessment as to whether bite issues, teeth misalignment, crowding, or developmental jaw irregularities may appear. In addition, an orthodontist can help guide incoming teeth to increase the chance that the permanent teeth have enough room once they begin to erupt.
These early evaluations can also be necessary to identify issues that may not be prominently visible, especially among individuals who otherwise exhibit perfectly straight teeth. Remember, an early evaluation by an orthodontist may find that there are no current orthodontic concerns whatsoever. In these cases, an occasional check-up may be the only additional step recommended, which can be helpful for monitoring the teeth as they come in and ensuring that jaw and facial development is progressing smoothly.