Answer: Around Age 7
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that age seven is the ideal time for the orthodontist to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. Identifying developing bite problems early and starting treatment may help prevent or intercept serious problems from developing, allowing later treatment to be shorter and less complicated.
The benefits of early treatment:
- Better to guide jaw growth
- Lower risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
Even if your child is older than seven, it’s not too late for a check up. Physiological development and treatment needs vary in each child and our goals are to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time. We tend to be conservative when it comes to early orthodontic treatment at our office and only recommend a first phase of treatment if we feel it’s truly necessary. In our practice, only 15-20% of children under the age of 11 require a first phase of orthodontic treatment.
There is no fee for your first visit or for future recall appointments while the patient is being monitored. So please, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment for your children at AM Orthodontics once they turn seven.