At some point, while your children are aging, you will want to take care of their oral health, whether that requires trips to the dentist or even orthodontic evaluations. You may wonder if there is a suitable age to start orthodontic treatment. We look forward to treating your child’s dental issues at Sprout Kids Dentistry.
The Importance of Orthodontic Evaluation
Wanting your children to be healthy is a common goal for many parents. Although treatments can look different from child to child, an orthodontic evaluation is vital because it determines a plan and addresses concerns before they are visible to you. Not all children need early orthodontic treatment, but an appointment can evaluate and identify potential issues.
What Age Should I Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation?
You may have noticed people of all ages wearing braces. Although this is common, the best time to start orthodontic care is between the ages of seven and ten. Early orthodontic treatment can intercept and identify issues before your child’s baby teeth even fall out.
Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
Children should go to a dentist regularly before visiting an orthodontist. It is recommended that children have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven by the American Association of Orthodontists. Early evaluation can diminish the need for extensive orthodontic treatments later in life. Early evaluation can identify and treat oral problems before more significant issues occur.
The Best Age to Get Braces
The most common age for braces is between 11 and 14 years old. This is when children lose most of their baby teeth. Some specialists will recommend using dental appliances to begin, followed by a shorter second phase of treatment with braces.
Phases of Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment can utilize palate expanders, space maintainers, and fixed or removable dental appliances. These treatments can occur in both dental phases.
Phase 1
Phase one can begin when children still have their baby teeth. Interceptive care during this phase can address many orthodontic issues, including underbite, overbite, crossbite, capped teeth, and an abnormal number of teeth.
Phase 2
Phase two begins when your child has all their adult teeth. This phase is also referred to as full orthodontic treatment. This phase can include braces and teeth aligners.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Anderson is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. At Sprout Kids Dentistry, your skilled pediatric dentists strive to give you worry-free dental visits for your children. If you are interested in pediatric dentistry in Boston, contact us to schedule a consultation with Sprout Kids Dentistry today.
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