Braces for Young Children
It’s best for the orthodontist to see children by age 7 to advise you if an orthodontic problem is developing, but it is never too late for an evaluation. Children and teens have a distinct advantage over adults receiving orthodontic treatment because of the natural growth that is going on during this time in ones life. The orthodontist can determine if treatment is required and the best time for that patient to be treated.
When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.
Dr Hamersky has written a more extensive article on this subject, Two Phase Orthodontics – Why Braces Twice?, on this site.