For Children

Early Treatment

It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age seven to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and if it is the ideal time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually erupted at that age, and crossbites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated.

If treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can often guide the growth of the jaws and the incoming permanent teeth. Usually, early treatment can help regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and help aleviate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. Experience has shown that early treatment can simplify later treatment in many cases.