The doctors of Orthodontic Associates, Ltd., recommend that every child have an orthodontic screening and evaluation by seven years of age. Certain malocclusions can benefit from early intervention (before all of the adult teeth have erupted), which can result in a better overall treatment outcome, or possibly negate the need for any future orthodontic treatment.

Please call, and we will be happy to examine your child and make a treatment recommendation.

Problems to watch for in seven-year-olds:

Anterior Crossbite	Posterior Crossbite	Crowding
Open Bite	Protrusion	Ectopic Eruption
Complete Class III	Diastema	Oral Habits

The Right Time For An Orthodontic Check-Up: No Later Than Age 7.

Even though most people think of pre-teens and teens when they think of orthodontics, there are good reasons your child should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.

Why Your Child Should Get An Orthodontic Check-up No Later Than Age 7:

1. Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
2. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.
3. The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
4. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.
5. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
6. Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:
   • guide jaw growth
   • lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
   • correct harmful oral habits
   • improve appearance
   • guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
   • improve the way lips meet
7. Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile.

Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

Benefits of Early Treatment:

For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:

• Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
• Harmonize width of the dental arches
• Improve eruption patterns
• Lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Improve aesthetics and self-esteem
• Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
• Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• Improve some speech problems
• Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth

An early orthodontic evaluation can ease a parent's concerns about crooked teeth or facial development and about orthodontic treatment. Some conditions are best treated early for biological, social, or practical reasons, whereas others should be deferred. Final treatment decisions should be made among the parent, general dentist, and orthodontist.