The American Association of Orthodontics recommends a first visit to the orthodontist for children when they are between 7 and 8 years old. Having an orthodontic evaluation at this age can help detect and treat any developing orthodontic problems, preventing more severe complications in the future. Some orthodontic issues left untreated, such as underbites or crossbites, are even more important to treat early because they can cause additional dental issues like gum recession.
Objectives of Early Treatment
- Monitor the progression of incoming teeth
- Help encourage teeth eruption in the right direction
- Monitor skeletal jaw and dental development
- Reduce the complexity of othodontic treatment in the future (decreasing the need for permanent tooth extractions and impacted teeth)