The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial evaluation by the age of SEVEN. Why? Because it is the optimal time to evaluate skeletal development and to identify the position of the permanent teeth. Severe malocclusions (incorrect jaw bone development) can be treated or modified at this time–as needed.
Each child’s needs are unique. For some, it is best to begin treatment before all of the permanent teeth have come in – this is called Phase One / Interceptive Treatment. For others, it makes more sense to wait until the permanent teeth are fully erupted and the roots are completely formed.
Working this way allows us to make the patient the “best version of themselves.”
We diagnose a patient’s inherent growth pattern and plan a natural improvement of the growth to create the most optimal foundations. Operating in a timely manner is important because it can improve the stability, function and aesthetics of the results while helping prevent problems down the road.
A proper evaluation will help us create a seamless treatment with periodic monitoring.
