Braces for Children

It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age 8 to advise whether orthodontic treatment is required. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated. In many cases we will not start treatment until the child is older and has their permanent teeth. In some cases early intervention is necessary, and we do recommend using an orthodontic appliance or braces. When treatment is begun early, we can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.