When should my child see the orthodontist?

Many parents wonder when (and why) their child should see an orthodontist.  We have the answers for you, and...it's probably earlier than you think!

At What Age Should Your Child Have a Consult with an Orthodontist...and why???

Age 7 is the mark for most children to have their first orthodontic consult.  This is because some orthodontic problems such as underbites, large over bites, severe crowding, severely protruded front teeth, and narrow jaws are much easier to correct at a younger age.

These corrections usually work best between ages 7 and 10, while the jaw is still growing, and are sometimes referred to as “early intervention” or “Phase I” treatment. 

Even if you think your child won’t need this sort of treatment, it’s good to have the orthodontist check out the way that your child’s teeth and jaws are developing – not all problems are easily visible to the casual observer. Finally, knowing whether or not future orthodontic treatment or braces will be likely can help families budget for the future.

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