Early orthodontic treatment for children

When to come in

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist by the time they are seven years old.

Why seven? Because this is when your child’s mouth is busy growing, and their first adult molars appear. At this point, your child has enough permanent teeth for the orthodontist to assess the developing teeth and jaws.

What a first visit can lead to

An initial consultation may result in the following:

• There is no treatment required.
• An issue may require treatment in the future, so your child will be monitored while their face, jaws, and teeth continue to grow.
• There is a more significant issue that requires early treatment.

Getting a head start on orthodontic screening isn’t just about spotting crooked teeth: it’s about taking action early when it’s easier to solve problems. By bringing your child in at a young age, our team can keep an eye on how their teeth and jaw develop. This means we can step in at the right moment, which can often help avoid bigger issues later.

Not every child needs Phase 1 treatment, but when it’s recommended, it can reduce the need for more extensive procedures later on.

Read about your first visit and our patient forms.

What early treatment can address

Crowding

When teeth don’t have enough space to grow straight, they can overlap, twist, or get pushed to the front or back. This is called crowding. Early treatment helps make room for teeth to align properly, making it easier for kids to brush and floss, which keeps their smiles healthy.

Open bites

An open bite happens when the upper and lower teeth don’t touch each other when the mouth is closed. This can make it hard for kids to bite into food and can even affect their speech. Starting treatment early can help correct this gap and improve how they eat and talk.

Crossbites

In a crossbite, some upper teeth may close inside the lower teeth instead of on the outside. This uneven bite can cause wear and tear on teeth, lead to gum problems, and even change the shape of the face. Early interventions can realign the teeth and jaw, preventing these issues.

Overbites

With an overbite, the upper front teeth stick out far beyond the lower teeth. This can put a child at higher risk for injuries to these teeth, especially if they play sports. Early correction of an overbite can protect the teeth and even enhance the child’s profile.

Other concerns

• An underbite where the lower front teeth extend out further than the upper front teeth.
• Teeth that have excessive spacing.
• Extra or missing teeth.
• Teeth that don’t meet at all.
• Thumb or pacifier sucking that affects the growth of the teeth or jaw.

How early treatment can help

Space for permanent teeth

Early orthodontic care can help make room for your child’s permanent teeth to come in without crowding. This helps maintain a straighter, healthier smile from the start.

Jaw growth

Starting treatments early can guide the jaw’s growth, enhancing facial symmetry. This is not just about aesthetics: proper jaw alignment is crucial for balanced oral health and function.

Protecting front teeth

Early intervention can correct the positioning of front teeth that stick out, which reduces their risk of getting chipped or damaged during play or accidents.

Reducing the need for tooth extractions

By addressing space issues early, we often avoid the need for extracting teeth later. This preventive approach is less stressful for children and parents alike.

Later treatment

When major issues are managed early, any future orthodontic treatment, like braces, can be shorter and less complex. This means less time with braces during the teenage years, a big plus for kids and parents.

What early treatment can involve

Your orthodontist may recommend a fixed or removable dental appliance that can move teeth, change the position of the jaw, or hold teeth in place. It may also be necessary to remove some baby teeth to help the permanent teeth erupt better.

Treatment tools may include:

• Expanders
• Limited braces
• Space maintainers
• Functional appliances

Cost

We will provide a detailed cost estimate during your initial consultation, so you know exactly what to expect.

Read about the cost of Invisalign and our payment options.