Early Treatment

What is the best age to first see the orthodontist?  The rule of thumb is to see the orthodontist as soon as possible.  The American Association of Orthodontists recommends age seven to see an orthodontist for the first time.  This is the opportune time to begin a guidance program and allows the orthodontist to provide the best possible treatment with the opportunity to make full use of the child's growth and development.

Age 10 to 14 is a common time to start comprehensive treatment.  There are two reasons for this.  First, this is when the last of the baby teeth are lost, hence all the permanent teeth can be straightened (with the exception of the wisdom teeth).  Second, this is the time of the pubertal growth spurt which can be greatly beneficial for growth modification procedures.

When to be Concerned

When should I be concerned about orthodontic problems in my child?  The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child visit an orthodontist by age seven, unless a problem is evident earlier.  That way, the orthodontist can determine the most ideal time to begin treatment.

Additional Treatment

If my child has early treatment, will additional treatment be necessary?  In most cases, yes.  After the permanent teeth have erupted, treatment is usually necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase.  The objective of continued treatment is to place the permanent teeth in positions of optimal comfort, function, esthetics and long-term stability.