The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This may seem early, since most people associate orthodontic treatment with the teenage years, but there are specific developmental reasons behind this recommendation.
Teeth Eruption Patterns
By age 7, most children have a mix of primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth, and the first permanent molars have usually erupted. This mix gives us a clear picture of how the permanent teeth are coming in relative to one another. We can see whether there is enough space for the remaining permanent teeth, whether any teeth are erupting out of position, and whether baby teeth are being lost earlier or later than expected, all of which can point to a developing problem before it is visible to a parent.
Jaw Growth Timing
A child’s jaw is still actively growing at this age. This matters because issues such as a narrow upper jaw, a significant overbite or underbite, or a crossbite are generally easier to guide while the jaw is still developing than to correct later, once growth has largely finished. Evaluating a child at age 7 gives us the option to intervene during this growth window if needed, rather than waiting until jaw growth has slowed and treatment options become more limited.
What an Age 7 Evaluation Involves
An evaluation at this age is not the same as starting treatment. Most children we see at age 7 do not need braces yet, and many will not need treatment for several more years, if at all. The visit typically includes a few photographs, a visual exam, and sometimes an X-ray, so we can assess how the bite and jaw are developing. For more on when treatment becomes necessary and what it addresses, see our article on whether your child needs braces.
Monitoring Over Time
Whether or not treatment is recommended at the first visit, the evaluation gives us a baseline for your child’s dental development. If we do not recommend treatment right away, we monitor growth at subsequent visits, so that if treatment does become appropriate, we can begin at the point that gives the best result with the least intervention.
I am Dr. MacKenzie, an orthodontist with over 20 years of experience serving Saint John, the Rothesay and Quispamsis area, and Charlotte County, New Brunswick. I have offices in uptown Saint John, Rothesay, and St. Stephen. To schedule your child’s free consultation, visit our free consult page.
Learn more on our Growth Monitoring page, and see our Treatment for Children (Ages 6-10) page for related information.