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Treatment for Children (ages 6-10)

The right time to catch a problem is before it becomes a bigger one. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, and we offer that first screening free of charge, so you know exactly where your child stands and what, if anything, needs attention.

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Why Age 7 Is the Right Time for a First Evaluation

Most parents think of orthodontics as something that starts in the teenage years, once all the adult teeth have come in. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

By that age, your child has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and their jaw is still growing. This is exactly the window where we can see problems developing, such as crowding, crossbites, or a jaw that is growing out of proportion, while there is still room to guide jaw growth and tooth eruption in the right direction.

An evaluation at age 7 does not mean early treatment. Most children who come in for a screening at this age are simply monitored over time. But for the children who do need early intervention, catching it at the right moment can mean a shorter, simpler, and less invasive treatment plan later.

Some children need to be seen earlier than 7. As the orthodontist on the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at Saint John Regional Hospital, I regularly evaluate infants and young children whose conditions call for a much earlier look. If your child has a cleft, a craniofacial condition, or another concern that your pediatrician, dentist, or family doctor feels warrants an earlier assessment, we are glad to see them well before age 7.

What Early Orthodontic Problems Look Like

You do not need to be able to diagnose anything yourself. That is our job. But there are some signs that tend to prompt parents to book a screening sooner rather than later:

If any of these sound familiar, it is worth having a look. And if none of them do, a screening still gives you peace of mind and a clear picture of what to expect as your child’s smile develops.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

It Can Prevent Crowding Later

When we identify a lack of space for incoming permanent teeth while your child is still growing, we have more options for guiding that growth. This can reduce, and sometimes eliminate, the need for tooth extractions or more complex treatment down the road.

It Guides Jaw Growth While There Is Still Time

A child’s jaw is far easier to influence while it is still developing. If we see a narrow palate or a bite that is developing out of alignment, appliances like a palatal expander can gently guide that growth in the right direction, something that becomes much harder to do once growth has slowed or stopped.

It Can Shorten and Simplify Treatment Later

Addressing certain issues early often means that any treatment needed in the teenage years is shorter, simpler, and more predictable, because the foundation has already been set.

It Builds Comfort and Confidence Around Dental Visits

For many children, an early, low-pressure visit to the orthodontist is their first experience with this kind of care. Starting young and keeping it positive builds a level of comfort that carries them through any treatment they may need later.

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What to Expect at your First Consultation

Every child’s first visit with us is a free consultation, and it includes a complete set of records so we have a full picture of what is going on, not just a quick look. This includes digital x-rays, clinical photos, a 3D intraoral scan, and a personalized smile simulation.

From there, one of three things usually happens:

  • No treatment needed right now. We simply recommend a timeline for a follow-up visit to keep an eye on things as your child grows.
  • Early, or interceptive, treatment is recommended. This might mean a palatal expander, a space maintainer, or another appliance suited to what we see.
  • We recommend monitoring for now, with a plan for comprehensive treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, once more permanent teeth have come in.

We will always explain exactly what we see, why we are recommending what we are recommending, and what the alternatives are. There is never any pressure to move forward with treatment your child does not need.

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Treatment Options for this Age Group

Palatal Expanders

When a child’s upper jaw is narrower than it should be, a palatal expander gently widens it over time, creating room for permanent teeth and often improving the bite and breathing at the same time. Depending on what your child needs, we may recommend:

  • Angel Kid Aligner System, a removable option well suited to mild to moderate expansion and arch development
  • Invisalign Palatal Expander, designed for cases where more significant, skeletal expansion is the goal
  • A traditional fixed expander (RPE), cemented in place and activated with a key, when that is the most appropriate option clinically

We will recommend the option that fits your child’s specific needs. There is no single right answer for every case.

Space Maintainers

If a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected, neighbouring teeth can drift into that space, leaving no room for the adult tooth underneath. A space maintainer holds that space open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in.

Monitoring and Growth Guidance

For most children in this age range, the right plan is simply watching closely as their teeth and jaw continue to develop, so that if intervention is ever needed, we catch the right moment for it. Most kids are seen in our office annually to monitor how the baby teeth fall out, how the adult teeth come in, and how the jaws are growing. The annual check up visits are a fun way to get to know your family and to monitor your child for issues that can easily be prevented.

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Why Families Choose MacKenzie Orthodontics

As a Mom, Dr. MacKenzie will treat your children with the same care as her own, and we will always recommend whichever is right for your child.

  • Free consultations for children, including full digital x-rays, clinical photos, a 3D intraoral scan, and a personalized smile simulation, with no cost and no obligation
  • Pain-free orthodontics, using the Dental Pain Eraser to keep visits as comfortable as possible
  • Over 1,000 five-star Google reviews across our three clinics, the most reviewed orthodontic practice in the region
  • Three convenient locations in Saint John, Quispamsis/Rothesay, and St. Stephen, with the St. Stephen office also serving families from St. George, St. Andrews, and Northern Maine
  • Advanced technology, including intraoral scanning and remote monitoring, so your child needs fewer in-office visits

Dr. MacKenzie has been practicing orthodontics for over 20 years, and also serves as the orthodontist on the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at Saint John Regional Hospital, so families with more complex needs are in experienced hands from an early age. As a mother of three herself, she understands exactly what you want for your child: a healthy, confident smile, and a positive family experience getting there. That is what our whole team is here to provide.

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Book Your Free Screening Today

There is no downside to an early screening, and real advantages to catching the right moment for treatment if your child needs it. Book a free consultation at our Saint John, Quispamsis/Rothesay, or St. Stephen location and let us give you a clear picture of your child’s smile.

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