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Most patients begin orthodontic treatment around age 14. All of the permanent teeth have fully erupted by this age and the jaw structure will not change drastically.
In some cases, younger patients start orthodontic treatment around age 7. Although, not all young children benefit from early orthodontic treatment since irregular teeth positioning is common in those who still have primary teeth.
Early orthodontic treatment is also called interceptive orthodontic treatment. It is completed when some baby teeth and some permanent teeth are present in the mouth (mixed dentition phase).
The purpose of interceptive treatment is to prevent future orthodontic issues, not cure the current problems. This is because the teeth and jaw are still developing between ages 7 and 14.
To determine if early orthodontic treatment is right for your child, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends scheduling his or her first check-up no later than age 7. The earlier discrepancies are caught, the better your child's dental health will be in the long run.
Your child may be a candidate for early orthodontic treatment if they have:
Some young children develop severe dental crowding because their jaws are too small. As a result, some or all of the teeth overlap.
Gaps can form between any two teeth in the mouth, with the most common being the two upper front teeth (midline diastema). If your child has excessively spaced teeth, they may be a candidate for early orthodontic treatment.
When the lower jaw is pushed too far forward, the lower front teeth overlap the upper front teeth.
Children who have abnormal jaw sizes or narrow dental arches may need treatment.
This typically involves palatal expansion, which widens the jaw and allows for more effective orthodontic treatment later in life, such as braces.
Children who have extra teeth, missing teeth, or abnormally aligned teeth may be candidates for treatment. Jaws and teeth affected by thumb-sucking or long-term pacifier use may also benefit from early treatment.
Children are most likely not candidates for early orthodontic treatment if they have:
When the upper jaw is pushed too far forward, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth.
Starting orthodontic treatment for this condition during the mixed dentition phase does not have as many benefits. Another phase of treatment will still be necessary around age 14.
When patients undergo phase treatment, it typically shortens the actual time spent in braces. It also usually breaks up the cost, making it more affordable.
This is the rarest form of malocclusion. It occurs when the teeth in the upper and lower jaw slant outwards and do not touch, even when biting down.
Similar to overbites, early orthodontic treatment can be effective for this type of malocclusion. By intercepting open bites early, you can prevent the need for jaw surgery later on.
If your child has slightly misaligned teeth during the mixed dentition phase, treatment is not always beneficial. As a child grows, so does their jaw and dental arch, which means natural changes may occur over time.
It is important to talk with your child’s orthodontist to determine the best treatment route.
While early treatment can help prevent future orthodontic issues and improve your child’s smile, it is not always necessary.
One study found that 75 percent of patients treated early with headgear or braces showed improvement. During the second phase of treatment, though, the previously treated patients saw little difference in teeth alignment and skeletal changes. The length of treatment also did not decrease significantly.
Four common types of early orthodontic treatment include:
The most common reason children receive orthodontic treatment during the mixed dentition phase is due to abnormal jaw formation. If your child’s jaw is not wide enough for permanent teeth to grow in, they may need a palate (palatal) expander.
Expanders create more space in the mouth by widening the upper jaw over time. When a child’s palate is extremely narrow, expansion also correctly aligns the upper teeth and jaw. A wider jaw also allows for more effective and quicker orthodontic treatment, such as clear aligners or braces.
Impacted teeth, crossbites, dental crowding, and breathing problems are common indicators for palatal expansion. However, expanders are only beneficial for younger children because their jaws are still developing. Teens and adults already have fully developed jaws that cannot be expanded without surgery.
Traditional braces are the most popular orthodontic treatment that correct misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and other bite problems.
Children and teens between 10 and 14 years of age most commonly get braces. Children younger than 10 might need braces if they have severely crowded teeth, an underbite, gapped teeth, missing teeth, or other discrepancies.
Headgear may be necessary if your child’s jaw and teeth are severely misaligned. The appliance is attached to a patient’s head or face with a neck strap and is used in combination with braces.
Braces only fix teeth positioning. Headgear influences proper jaw growth.
Common types of appliances include:
Clear aligners, also called invisible braces, have grown in popularity since the 90s. Adults prefer clear aligners over braces because they are removable, virtually invisible, and comfortable.
However, some younger children are also candidates for invisible braces. Invisalign also offers aligners for children who still have some baby teeth.
According to the Invisalign website, phase I treatment for children in the mixed dentition phase has many benefits:
Most patients begin orthodontic treatment around age 14. However, some may begin treatment as early as age 7. Starting orthodontic treatment earlier than age 6 or 7 is rare.
The length of orthodontic treatment depends on your age, the severity of teeth misalignment, and the type of treatment chosen.
Braces take anywhere between 12 and 24 months. Clear aligner treatment tends to be faster and takes anywhere between 4 and 12 months.
It is not recommended to extract teeth before getting braces unless the jaw is too small or a tooth is smaller or larger than the other teeth.
The best age to get orthodontic treatment is between 10 and 14 years.
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