Treatment Timing

One of the most commonly asked questions is, at what age should I bring my child in for an orthodontic examination? Of course, orthodontics can be done at any age, certain problems are best corrected at specific ages for each problem.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an orthodontic examination at age seven.  Although rarely is treatment required, some very difficult problems can be corrected at this age.  Sometimes these types of difficult problems may not be correctable, without surgical intervention.

Orthodontics divides treatment into two categories: Mixed dentition treatment (orthodontics with some baby teeth in the mouth) and adolescent/adult treatment (orthodontics with no baby teeth in the mouth). Generally, orthodontic intervention in the mixed dentition is to correct growth related problems. Orthodontic treatment in the adolescent/adult dentition aligns and straightens teeth and corrects bite problems.

If orthodontic treatment is required with baby teeth in the mouth, this treatment was necessary to correct a growth problem. Usually a full set of braces is required when all the permanent teeth erupt to finish with the best possible result.

Age 5 to 7:

The most commonly treated problem at this age is an underbite, where the lower teeth are in front of the upper teeth. This problem is very difficult to correct, even if we start at age 12. Therefore, underbites are one of the few problems that are corrected at a very early age.

Age 7 to 10:

Narrow upper jaw (crossbites): Narrow upper jaws are very correctable at this age since the two halves of the upper jaw are not locked together.

Crowded or crooked teeth: There are two reasons for crooked teeth; the teeth are too big for normal size jaws or the jaws are too small for normal size teeth. Depending on the problem, intervention at this age can correct skeletal problems (jaws too small) or make room for the teeth by selectively removing baby teeth.

Big overbites:  Although big overbites are best corrected during adolescence, overbites bigger than six millimeters, about a quarter inch, present a hazard for trauma to the upper central incisors.  Big overbites sometimes require treatment at age 7 to 10 and again at age 10 to 13.

Age 10 to 13:

This is the age when most orthodontic treatment is performed. Most of the permanent teeth are in the mouth at age 12 allowing correction of the teeth so they all meet together evenly. Moderately crooked teeth, overbites and tooth alignment problems are best corrected at this age.

Age 13 to Adult:

At this age, growth is generally complete, especially for girls and orthopedic growth changes are less likely. Teeth can be aligned and straightened at any age. In the adult, selective removal of teeth can sometimes compensate for overbites and a few underbites. In some cases, the jaw structure can be surgically changed to reduce severe overbites or underbites

Orthodontics is for any age. Our goal is to find the right time to allow the best correction with the minimal amount of treatment time.