Orthodontic Treatment Timing

Orthodontic problems can be detected in very young children. Often, some treatment at a younger age can help correct the positions of the jaw bones or crowded / protruding teeth.

Limited Orthodontic Treatment (because not all orthodontic problems are addressed at once): Although most dental problems can be detected early, usually they do NOT need to be treated early.

Recent studies show that two phases of orthodontic treatment are almost always LESS efficient and cost MORE.

However there ARE some conditions that are best treated early: upper teeth inside lower teeth (crossbites), harmful sucking habits, severe crowding, loss of space for permanent teeth to erupt into, and severely protruding upper incisors.

Often treatment of these problems cannot be easily corrected later. Once these early problems are corrected, further orthodontic treatment might not be needed.

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment (all orthodontic problems are addressed): Most orthodontic problems are best treated when children are about 12 years old and the last baby molars are falling out and the permanent second molars are coming in (not in the same place as the baby tooth though).

Although jaw position problems can be treated earlier, they are most effectively treated at this time when only the wisdom teeth have not come in and the final bite relationship can be perfected.

Occassionally treatment must be delayed until near adulthood. Jaw surgery and placement of dental implants to replace missing teeth are almost always best treated after growth is complete.