Learning & Essentials
Early Treatment
Why a first orthodontic check at age seven matters—and why, for many children, the right plan is simply to wait.
- First check at age 7
- Free consultation
- Aventura, Florida
Age seven
Why seven,
and not later?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check by age seven. It is early on purpose. By that age, the first permanent molars and incisors have usually erupted, which is enough for us to see how the bite is developing—whether the arches are wide enough, whether the jaws are growing in proportion, and whether there is enough room for the remaining permanent teeth to erupt.
Being seen at seven does not mean starting treatment at seven. For most children, the visit ends with a plan to monitor their growth. What it can prevent is discovering at age twelve that a problem has been worsening for several years.
What early treatment
can achieve
While the jaws are still growing, we can influence how they develop. Once growth is complete, the same corrections may take longer and, in some cases, require surgery.
- Creating room for permanent teeth to erupt without crowding
- Maintaining space for a permanent tooth that has yet to erupt
- Reducing the likelihood that a tooth will need to be extracted later
- Lowering the risk of injury to protruding upper front teeth
- Guiding jaw growth while the bones are still developing
- Potentially making future braces treatment shorter and more straightforward
Being straight with you
It is not for
every child
Plenty of children who come in at seven do not need treatment for years. Recommending an unnecessary appliance adds cost and discomfort, so we recommend treatment only when it offers a clear benefit. The value of the visit is the assessment: knowing whether your child needs treatment now or monitoring as they grow.
Early treatment is most useful for crossbites, a narrow upper jaw, severe crowding with no room for teeth still to come, upper front teeth that protrude far enough to be injured in a fall, and habits such as thumb sucking that affect bite development. In these cases, waiting can make eventual treatment more difficult.
Your consultation is free and includes a free digital panoramic X-ray, so this is a judgement made on evidence rather than a glance.
Questions parents
ask us
If we have not covered your question, bring it to your free consultation. We will give you answers specific to your child.
Does early treatment mean my child avoids braces later?
Not necessarily. By age seven, not all permanent teeth have erupted, so their final positions are not yet established. Early treatment addresses specific developing problems, such as crossbites, jaw-width concerns, or protruding front teeth. It may make later treatment more straightforward, but some children will still need braces or aligners as they grow.
How long does early treatment last?
It varies depending on what is being corrected. Some appliances achieve the desired correction in a few months, while growth-guidance treatment may take longer. After the examination and X-ray, we will explain the expected timeline and tell you when monitoring is more appropriate than treatment.
Will it be uncomfortable for my child?
Some tenderness is common during the first few days after an appliance is placed or adjusted. It usually settles quickly, and soft foods can help during that period.
Can my child still play sports or a wind instrument?
Yes. For contact sports, we will discuss a mouthguard that fits over the appliance. Woodwind and brass players may need a short adjustment period, so please tell us at the consultation and we will consider this when recommending an appliance.
Will insurance cover early treatment?
Coverage varies by plan, and some policies treat an initial phase differently from a later phase. We will review your coverage and payment options with you at the free consultation before you commit to anything.
Keep reading: the bite problems we treat, what to avoid eating once braces are on, or the treatments we offer.
Ready when you are
Request your child's
first check.
Your free consultation includes a digital panoramic X-ray. We will review your child's treatment options, estimated treatment timeline, insurance coverage, and payment options.