Early orthodontic treatment

When should I bring my child to an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that an initial orthodontic evaluation occur no later than age 7. By this age, the adult molars have started to erupt and a back bite has been established. This allows Dr. Caswell to check for potential misalignments.

With an early consultation, Dr. Caswell can diagnose and address orthodontic issues before they get worse. This can shorten the length of orthodontic treatment in your child’s teenage years, or sometimes do away with the need for additional treatment altogether.

Is early orthodontic treatment right for my child?

Not all children need early orthodontic treatment, but bringing them in for a free consultation will help you find out what’s best for the health of your child’s smile. With some children, we monitor the growth of their smile and treat them at the opportune time when they are a bit older.

If your child does have malocclusions (bite issues with their teeth or jaws) it can create difficulty with brushing, flossing, chewing, or speaking. As they get older, and their jaws stop growing, these issues will become more difficult to address.

Some issues we can treat easily with early orthodontics include: gaps between teeth, overly crowded and crooked teeth, underbites, overbites, crossbites, and asymmetrical smiles.