It's best for the orthodontist to see children by the age of 7 years to determine both timing and need for orthodontic treatment. At age 7 years, the first permanent molars and incisors (front four teeth) have usually come in and crossbites, crowding and other potential problems can be evaluated. Even if treatment is not yet indicated, early evaluation is useful for later diagnosis and treatment planning. We establish a baseline for later treatment, and by monitoring your growth and development on a yearly basis we can determine the best time to proceed with treatment.

There are certain situations in which early treatment is beneficial. Some indications include changing the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gaining space for permanent teeth, avoiding the need for permanent tooth extractions, reducing the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correcting a thumb-sucking habit, and eliminating abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.