According to the American Association of Orthodontists, kids should have an initial orthodontic evaluation with an orthodontist between the ages 7-9. At this age, an orthodontist can evaluate the eruption and basic alignment of your child’s teeth and determine whether there is sufficient room for all of the permanent teeth to emerge. In most cases, if orthodontic treatment isn’t needed immediately, our team will simply monitor your child’s dental growth patterns until we see that it’s time for treatment to begin at no charge. Adolescent orthodontics is most efficient when timed properly and our observation program allows us to do this.

Some orthodontic conditions are much easier to treat if they are diagnosed at an early age. Some examples of such problems are:

Crossbite

This is a condition where the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth.  A crossbite can involve a single tooth or groups of teeth.

Underbite

The projection of the lower teeth beyond the upper teeth. This condition may get worse with age and should be assessed early.

Severe Crowding

Severe crowding can occur when the jaws are too small to accommodate all of the permanent teeth.  Severe crowding can affect tooth eruption and make them more difficult to clean.

Overcoming Oral Habits

There are some situations where a child's oral habits can influence the development and function of his or her teeth, jaws, and mouth. These Habits, such as thumb sucking, can influence the development and function of the teeth and jaws. 

Openbite

The top and bottom teeth do not come together in the front. Often caused by a number of habits and should be addressed early. 

Benefits of our pre-orthodontic guidance program:

• Enables us to monitor your child's development AT NO CHARGE.

• Intercepts any abnormalities at an early age with limited measures to guide facial growth and tooth eruption

• Can minimize extensive and lengthy treatment at a later age

• Achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing

• Enables us to support a child's dental care with a team approach

• Eases a child's apprehension about orthodontic treatment