Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children
Wondering how early orthodontic treatment differs from regular braces? Or why your child might benefit from starting treatment sooner? These are common questions parents ask.
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests children visit an orthodontist by age seven for an evaluation. This early check-up helps determine if your child needs orthodontic care.
Early treatment, often called Phase One, usually starts around ages eight or nine. Then, Phase Two begins when your child is about 11 or older. The main aim of early treatment is to guide jaw growth and correct bite issues like underbites. It also creates space for permanent teeth, reducing the chance your child will need extractions later on.
How to recognize if your child might require early orthodontic care:
- Teeth falling out too early or too late (normal baby tooth loss starts around age five, with most permanent teeth in by 13)
- Trouble chewing or biting food
- Breathing primarily through the mouth
- Thumb sucking beyond age five
- Speech difficulties
- Teeth that protrude outward from the mouth
- Teeth that don’t meet properly or at all
- Jaw shifts or crossbites when opening or closing the mouth
- Crowded front teeth noticeable by age seven or eight
What leads to orthodontic challenges, and how does early care help?
Orthodontic issues like crowded or spaced teeth, jaw growth concerns, protruding teeth, and bite problems can be inherited or caused by injuries, thumb-sucking, or irregular baby tooth loss.
Most kids lose their baby teeth by 13, and jaw bones stop growing by late teens. Orthodontic treatments for adults often require longer timeframes and can involve extractions or surgery. Starting early treatment can reduce or eliminate the need for these more invasive procedures later.
If your child is about seven or eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care—or if your dentist has recommended an orthodontic visit—please contact Align Orthodontics Lexington in Lexington, MA. Our caring team will perform an initial exam and guide you on the best steps for your child’s healthy smile.
Request an AppointmentBefore:
After Phase I:
After Phase II Treatment:
