Orthodontic treatment doesn’t always need to begin when all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Some orthodontic problems are easier to manage while a child is growing. An early orthodontic evaluation allows us to identify developing concerns, monitor growth and tooth eruption, and determine whether treatment would be beneficial now or later.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an orthodontic check-up by approximately age 7. That does not mean every seven-year-old needs braces. In many cases, the most appropriate treatment is simply observation.
Why Evaluate Children Early?
An early evaluation can identify:
- Significant crowding
- Crossbites
- Developing underbites
- Excessive overbites
- Narrow upper arches
- Eruption problems
- Teeth that are blocked or displaced
- Missing or extra teeth
- Jaw growth discrepancies
- Habits that may affect dental development
Finding these issues early gives us more information about when intervention may be most beneficial.
Does My Child Need Early Treatment?
Not necessarily. Some children benefit from Phase I orthodontic treatment, while others should simply be monitored until more permanent teeth erupt. We don’t recommend treatment simply because a child is young. Treatment should have a specific purpose and a clear benefit. If treatment isn’t necessary yet, we can monitor your child’s growth and development and intervene when the timing is appropriate.
What Is Phase I Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase I, or early orthodontic treatment, addresses specific orthodontic problems while a child is still developing. Depending on the situation, treatment may involve:
- Expansion
- Space management
- Correcting crossbites
- Guiding erupting permanent teeth
- Addressing certain jaw discrepancies
- Creating space for permanent teeth
- Correcting harmful oral habits
After Phase I treatment, some children will require a second comprehensive phase once the permanent teeth have erupted. Others may require significantly less treatment later.
Why Timing Matters
A child’s jaws and facial structures are still developing during childhood. This provides opportunities that may not exist once growth is complete.
Early treatment can sometimes simplify future orthodontic treatment by addressing a developing problem before it becomes more severe.
However, early treatment is not appropriate for every orthodontic problem. The timing should be based on the child’s individual growth and dental development.
Early orthodontic evaluations can also help establish a clearer picture of how your child’s smile is developing over time. By monitoring changes in tooth eruption, spacing, bite relationships, and jaw growth, we can identify when treatment may become appropriate rather than starting too early or waiting until a developing concern becomes more complex.
A Comfortable, Child-Friendly Approach
Orthodontic care should be a positive experience for children. We take the time to explain what we’re seeing, what treatment would accomplish, and whether treatment is actually necessary.
Our goal is to avoid unnecessary intervention while recognizing problems early enough to address them when treatment can be most effective.
Early Orthodontics In Hockessin, Delaware
Dentistry of Hockessin provides orthodontic evaluations for children throughout Hockessin, Wilmington, Newark, Pike Creek, Greenville, and surrounding Northern Delaware communities.
If your child is around age 7, or if your dentist has noticed crowding, bite problems, delayed eruption, or another orthodontic concern, an evaluation can provide valuable information about what comes next.