Early orthodontic treatment can help address alignment issues when your child first begins to show signs of them. Here, our orthodontists in Langley discuss early intervention and how age impacts braces treatment.
The Impact of Age in Orthodontics
The skeletal structure is most pliable during childhood. In these early years, the support structures that anchor the teeth are easier to reshape, train, and align.
As a child enters their teenage years, the jaw and the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the teeth are still flexible. This flexibility continues until around the age of 25. After this point, the teeth and their supporting structures become more fixed.
This is why orthodontists often recommend early evaluations while a child is still young.
Early Orthodontic Evaluations
An early orthodontic evaluation assesses a child’s dental and facial growth to identify potential issues. This check-up is often recommended for children around age seven, when adult molars emerge. It is used to examine the relationship between their upper and lower jaws. The orthodontist evaluates the child’s bite, tooth alignment, and jaw growth to address concerns that may benefit from early treatment. Identifying issues early is essential for timely intervention to avoid future complications.
These visits focus on supporting your child's future rather than immediate treatment, monitoring their growth and identifying potential issues early. This proactive approach allows the orthodontist to create a personalized treatment plan, possibly including orthodontic treatment to guide jaw growth and make space for adult teeth. In summary, an early evaluation is a smart step towards your child's healthy dental and facial development.
Different Orthodontic Treatment Phases
Children's orthodontic treatment typically consists of two phases: Phase I (early treatment, approximately ages six to nine) aims to guide jaw growth and correct issues, while Phase II (generally ages 11-14) involves the use of full braces to straighten teeth.
Early Interceptive Orthodontics (Phase I)
Phase I treatment typically begins when a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth, usually before the age of 10.
The purpose of Phase I treatment is to support the growth and development of the jaws and teeth, tackle specific issues promptly, and possibly simplify and shorten the second phase of treatment (Phase II). This involves using removable and/or fixed appliances, headgear, and additional appliances.
Comprehensive Treatment (Phase II)
Phase II treatment generally starts once all permanent teeth have come in, usually between ages 11 and 14.
Phase II treatment involves traditional braces or Invisalign and usually spans 18 to 30 months, although this duration can differ based on the complexity of the case. Once the braces have been removed, retainers will be recommended to help keep the teeth in their newly aligned positions.
How young can kids be to get braces?
The ideal age for a child's first orthodontic evaluation is seven, with Phase I treatment typically occurring between 6 and 10 years old. However, braces are usually placed on children between 10 and 14 years old, depending on individual circumstances. Starting treatment while a child is young allows the orthodontist to effectively influence jaw growth and the development of permanent teeth that are just coming in.
The Benefits of Consulting with an Orthodontist
Orthodontic specialists are able to identify orthodontic-related issues at an early stage, allowing for intervention and correction as soon as possible. By the age of seven, children start using their molars for biting. At this point, an orthodontist can evaluate the alignment of the teeth to check for significant problems like overbites, underbites, crowding, or a gummy smile.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children at Langley Orthodontics
Several signs indicate that a child may need orthodontic treatment, including trouble chewing and breathing, crowded teeth, clenching or teeth grinding, speech problems, jaw clicking, and more. If you are concerned that your child may be showing these signs, then it's time to contact our orthodontists.
The orthodontist will consider your child's overall health and oral structure to determine the most suitable type of braces (such as traditional and coloured braces, In-Ovation® braces, and more), the treatment duration, and any additional procedures required.
This may include suggesting extra devices such as orthodontic expanders to be used alongside your child's braces. These devices aim to help address the current issues to achieve optimal oral outcomes.