Wondering About The Best Age for Braces for Your Child?
If you have a child that may require orthodontic care, you may have questions about the best age for braces. In the past, the trend for orthodontic treatment was to wait until most or all of a child’s permanent teeth had come in. However, most orthodontic problems are much easier to correct sooner rather than later. This is why our orthodontists recommend and insist upon early orthodontic treatment.
Certain orthodontic conditions can be treated as early as 7 or 8 years old. Although they may not be able to be totally corrected at that time, early orthodontic treatment can drastically reduce the amount of treatment that a child needs to undergo during their teen years.
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One of the most popular questions we are asked is, “When should I bring my child to see an orthodontist?” or “What is the best age for braces” The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be seen by age seven because, at that age, the upper and lower adult six-year-old molars are in, as are most of the front incisors. It allows us to get a really good idea of how the child’s jaws are starting to line up and how the teeth are coming in, whether there is any crowding or growth and development problems as far as how the jaws are growing.
The reason for saying that between seven and eight is a good time to see a patient for the first time is that it’s important to see if any abnormalities are going on. We can get involved at that time if we need to, or we can simply keep a close eye on the growth and development of those kids who don’t need to be treated at that age.
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Younger Patients vs Older Patients
For our younger patients, we can identify any contributing problems they may have that might require more orthodontics in the future. Although not every patient who comes into the orthodontist’s office at age seven is started in treatment, it is wise to have an educated eye look at the patient to identify factors that may contribute to a need for intervention and begin to make corrections. We can have a much more profound impact on a younger patient than we can on older ones so the best age for braces is generally in your younger years. That said, we treat patients of all ages on a regular basis and offer discrete clear braces and Invisalign options for our patients who don’t want to deal with unsightly metal brackets.
While we recommend patients see an orthodontist around age 7 or 8, age should not be the only determinant. If a parent suspects a problem at an earlier age, or if the child’s general dentist recognizes a problem and wants to make a referral, it is never too early to visit the orthodontist and have a conversation about the best age for braces. Many times, we are the first line of defense in identifying tongue dysfunction, breathing problems, and other things that may have been slipping through the cracks in that patient’s healthcare. As a result, since it is important to treat those things, I feel that a patient can come into our office and be evaluated at any age.
Questions About The Best Age for Braces? Schedule A Free Consultation!
If you have any further questions about the best age for braces for you or your child, don’t hesitate to call any of our five Western New York locations for a free screening for your child.
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York is proud to offer early orthodontic treatment throughout Buffalo, Lancaster, Olean, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Dunkirk, New York.
At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, our reputation as a leader in orthodontic care is based on one thing… Making a Healthy and Beautiful Smile
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