Orthodontics for Children with Mixed Dentition

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

Most dentists recommend that children around the age of 7 see an orthodontist for an initial evaluation. This is the average age when the permanent teeth at the front of the mouth have grown in. During this visit, the orthodontist will look for any of the following problems:

• Locked teeth that can obstruct correct growth of the jaw
• Habits that lead to crooked teeth or bite problems such as tongue-thrusting, mouth-breathing or thumb-sucking.
• Space between the upper and lower jaws
• Front teeth that do not touch
• A difference in width between upper and lower jaws
• Upper front teeth that touch behind front bottom teeth (underbite)
• Permanent teeth growing in crooked and limiting available space for other teeth

Orthodontists and dentists now recommend two phases of orthodontics for some children with the conditions listed above. During this 1st phase, between the ages of 6-12, orthodontists work to fix problems in the jaw (skeletal problems), because as children grow older, their jaw size and alignment becomes fixed.

This does not mean that it is too late if your child is older than 7 years old. If your child is older than 7, it is not too late for a check-up or to start orthodontics. Many patients begin treatment between the ages of 9 and 16, depending on their physiological development and treatment needs.

Why not wait until my child has all of their permanent teeth for braces?

Trying to fix jaw problems at older ages is much more expensive, requires longer treatment, and may be less successful. Using orthodontics at an early age when the jaw is still growing allows the orthodontist to use growth to correct jaw imbalances without the need for surgery. For most people, after the permanent (12 year) molars come in, there is even less space available for the front teeth. Untreated problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, broken front teeth and loss of bone tissue that holds teeth in place.

The goal is to detect any problems which could worsen over time and to identify any habits causing tooth or bite problems. An earlier visit to Turó Park Clinics' orthodontist may eliminate the need for, or at the very least simplify later orthodontic treatments. Your child may not get braces immediately after their first visit to an orthodontist.

Many times a “wait-and-see” approach makes the most sense: checking in with the orthodontist every 6 months- 1 year to monitor jaw growth and how teeth are coming in to wait for the time when orthodontics will be most effective.