The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child's first visit to an orthodontist take place by age 7, or earlier if a problem is detected. Although treatment may not actually be started until years later, early examination allows the doctors to detect and evaluate problems and plan appropriate treatment. While orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, there is usually an ideal age to begin treatment in order to achieve maximum improvement with the minimum amount of time and expense.
In certain situations, early treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. It can make comprehensive treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Depending on the particular case, early intervention can regulate dental arch width, gain or maintain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. For many patients however, the best treatment is to wait until all of the permanent teeth erupt and use braces to correct all of the orthodontic problems.
Although no two patients are the same and no two treatment plans are identical, treatment while the jaws and teeth are still growing and developing is almost always faster, easier, and less costly.