Each child is different; however, we follow The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommendation that children have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Starting at this age allows our orthodontist to monitor your child's growth and the development of their teeth and jawbone.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Most children start braces around 11 or 12, but in some cases, such as overbite correction, earlier treatment is indicated. Early orthodontic treatment consists of using various appliances and a child's rapid physical development to create more space in the jaw.
When there's sufficient space in the jaw, permanent teeth are more likely to come in straight. The straighter permanent teeth are when they emerge, the shorter orthodontic treatment times typically are, and the better the chance that teeth will remain straight after braces come off.
By age 12–14, all permanent teeth have erupted, and it's time for full orthodontic treatment to move teeth into proper alignment. The types of children's braces we offer at our Phoenix, AZ, dental office are:
- Silver metal braces
- Clear ceramic braces
- Invisalign® Teen
Schedule Your Child's Orthodontic Evaluation
At Maryvale Children's Dentistry and Orthodontics, we enjoy welcoming new patients to our friendly, caring dental office. Please call us if you have questions or want to schedule your child's age seven orthodontic evaluation.