The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation for all children by age 7. For most children at this age, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that the orthodontist can identify current problems, anticipate future problems and alleviate parents' concerns if all seems normal. In many cases, fairly simple interceptive treatment can be utilized to make more space for developing teeth, correct crossbites, or eliminate harmful oral habits.
What are some things an early visit to the orthodontist can achieve?
- Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
- Improve eruption patterns
- Lower risk of damage to front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve esthetics and self-esteem
- Reduce the likelihood of extracting (removing) permanent teeth
- Reduce the occurrence of impacted (stuck in the bone) permanent teeth
- Prevent the need for jaw surgery
- Improve abnormal swallowing or speech problems
- Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth
- Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
Once all of a child's permanent teeth have erupted (usually between 11-13 years of age), he or she is ready to begin comprehensive orthodontic treatment with braces. While it is most beneficial to see children before all of their permanent teeth erupt, successful orthodontic treatment can be completed at any age!
