Braces for Kids

We believe in the guidelines established by the American Association of Orthodontists by recommending that first orthodontic evaluation should take place by the age of 7 for all children. This early evaluation can help to determine the best time to begin any necessary orthodontic treatment. Most children do not need early intervention but only an orthodontist can make that decision.

Early evaluation gives the opportunity, when appropriate, to guide jaw growth, correct harmful habits, lower the risk of injury to protruded teeth, guide permanent teeth into more favorable conditions, and provide more space for the permanent teeth.

Many progressive treatments are now available for patients 7 to 11 years of age, that provide significant benefits, especially when jaw irregularities are present. These treatments may also prevent certain conditions from worsening. Treating children with these types of problems during their growth stages allows our practice to achieve results that may not be possible when face and jaw bones have fully developed. This early treatment can simplify or eliminate additional treatment for the child.

Since it is not always easy to tell when your child has an orthodontic problem, our practice it’s important for that first orthodontic checkup no later than age 7.

Listed below are some conditions that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Breathing chronically through the mouth
• Thumb-sucking
• Tongue thrusting
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that are too far forward or back
• Protruding teeth
• Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet
• Unbalanced facial appearance
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth
• Lips that are apart when at rest