This is a popular question we get asked by parents who are considering orthodontic treatment for their child. The question of whether or not your child should get braces really depends on a few things.

• If your child is age 7 or older, have they had their first orthodontic evaluation by an orthodontic specialist? If not, you should schedule this initial examination with an orthodontist.
• Has your dentist recommended an orthodontic evaluation for your child?

•  Did you, your spouse, or another one of your children require braces?

•  Do you have a concern with your child’s smile or bite (jaw alignment)?

If you answered yes to any of these last three questions, you can probably guess that again, the recommendation would be to schedule a consultation with an orthodontic specialist. An orthodontic specialist is a dentist who has received 2–3 years of additional training (beyond dental school) learning the proper way to straighten and align teeth and jaws. Your specialist will be able to provide a treatment recommendation and review answers to your question “Should my child get braces?”

If your child is a candidate for orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist can recommend the best time to start treatment. As a general rule of thumb, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends evaluation no later than age 7 by an orthodontic specialist. Although the majority of our early patient visits result in observation only, at no cost to the patient, this is the first time your orthodontist will be able to predict future jaw growth and potential problems.

Why age 7? It’s when your child will finally have enough permanent teeth in their mouth (6-year molars, and some, if not most or all, of their front permanent incisors). Before this time, it’s difficult to determine where your child’s future jaw alignment is headed; and rightly so, as prior to this age your child has predominantly baby teeth (teeth that are going to fall out).

Of course, in today’s economic times, we understand that there can be a concern as to the financial aspects of orthodontic treatment. That is why we’ve put together a great offer designed specifically for you! Just click the banner below our post and you’ll receive a FREE orthodontic exam and x-ray evaluation.