What Is the Right Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

A check by age 7, not braces by age 7

The American Association of Orthodontists suggests every child have an orthodontic check by age 7. At that age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. The first adult molars and front teeth are in, and the way the jaws are growing is easier to see.

A check is just a look. For most children, the answer is that nothing is needed yet, or that it's worth watching. Only some children benefit from treatment this early.

What an early check can spot

• Crowding, where adult teeth don't have room to come in
• Crossbite, where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
• Underbite, where the lower front teeth sit ahead of the upper ones
• Open bite, where the front teeth don't meet when the back teeth close
• Upper front teeth that stick out, and are easier to injure
• Teeth coming in out of order, or baby teeth lost very early or very late

When early treatment makes sense

Early treatment, sometimes called interceptive treatment or phase 1, is used for a few specific problems while a child is still growing. Examples include a crossbite that makes the jaw shift to one side, or front teeth that stick out far enough to be at risk in a fall. A simple appliance can sometimes widen the upper jaw or make room for teeth that are coming in.

Early treatment doesn't always replace braces later. Many of these children still need a second phase once their adult teeth are in. Your dentist will explain whether starting early is likely to help, or whether waiting is the better plan.

The most common time for braces

Most children who need braces or aligners start sometime between about 10 and 14. By then, most baby teeth are gone, and the jaws are still growing. That growth can help some bite problems correct more easily.

Treatment time varies. The Canadian Dental Association notes that many people wear braces for about two years, though it may be shorter or longer depending on the problem. After the teeth are in place, a retainer holds them there. Wearing it as directed is what keeps the result.

Is it ever too late?

No. Healthy teeth can be moved at 30, 50 or 70, provided the supporting gums and bone are in good shape. More adults are choosing treatment to fix crowding that makes cleaning hard, close gaps or improve how their teeth meet.

Adult treatment often takes longer than treatment for teens, because the jaws have stopped growing. Gum health matters even more, so any gum disease is treated first. Some adults also need other dental work planned around their orthodontic treatment.

Signs it's worth asking sooner

You don't need to wait until age 7 if you notice something. Ask your dentist if your child:

• Has trouble chewing or biting
• Breathes through the mouth most of the time
• Still sucks a thumb or finger after about age 5
• Has a jaw that shifts, clicks or looks uneven
• Bites their cheek often
• Has crowded, blocked or very spaced teeth

Braces or clear aligners?

Both can work well when they suit the case. Fixed braces, in metal or tooth-coloured ceramic, are attached to the teeth and work all the time. They are often chosen for complex bite problems. Clear aligners are removable trays. They work only when worn about 22 hours a day, so they suit people who will keep them in.

At our clinic, Dr. Farhad Sobouti, DDS, MSc (Orthodontics), FRCDC, provides our orthodontic treatment, including traditional braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners and retainers. He will explain which options fit your child's or your own bite.

What a first orthodontic visit looks like

At the first visit, the dentist looks at the teeth, the bite and the jaws, and asks about habits like thumb-sucking. If treatment may be needed, records follow. These usually include X-rays, photos and a digital 3D scan in place of messy impressions. You then get a plan that explains the timing, what treatment would involve and a written estimate. If waiting is the wiser choice, we will tell you that and set a time to check again.

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