We like to see children as young as 3 years old if they are mouthbreathers. Actual treatment often begins in the 6-10 year age group if there is crowding or less than ideal facial balance. If the child is not a mouthbreather and has proper dentofacial development, we will wait for all 28 teeth (all teeth but the wisdom teeth) to be in the mouth before orthodontics. This minimizes the time children are in braces.

We would much prefer seeing a child early before it is the appropriate time for treatment than having to tell a parent it is too late for ideal treatment.

Reasons to treat early:

If space is made for the permanent teeth to erupt into relatively good positions they will tend to be more stable in those positions.

Improper skeletal relationships, poor facial balance and gummy smiles can be corrected at an early age with orthodontic appliances. By the time a child is over 10 the window of opportunity is usually past and surgery may be necessary to achieve proper facial balance and teeth well related in the face.

A narrow airway can be expanded 4-5 times in area with the use of orthodontic appliances at a young age. Establishing a good airway contributes to good facial development, stability of the orthodontic result, and a healthier child. An ideal airway can become of critical importance in later years since obstructive sleep apnea (a life threatening problem) is a direct result of a reduced airway!

See IMPORTANCE OF AIRWAY for more information and Interactive FINDER BROCHURE for a tool to help determine facial balance.