The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) suggests that children receive their first orthodontic exam around the age of 7. With an early orthodontic exam, our orthodontists can assess your child’s teeth and bite alignment to identify any problematic orthodontic conditions that are currently present or are soon to erupt.
Intervening with problematic orthodontic conditions before they worsen is ideal for minimizing the need for treatment in the future and treating any challenging symptoms (such as difficulty chewing, breathing or sleeping) before they pose a greater problem.
If we determine that your child isn’t in need of orthodontic treatment or won’t benefit from treatment, we won’t suggest that they begin treatment. We only want what’s best for your child’s smile. If that means waiting until he or she matures to begin treatment or beginning treatment over a number of appointments, then we’re happy to do that.