When Should My Child See the Orthodontist?

As you look at your child with that big crooked grin, all you can see are dollar signs. Could it be time? Is it time to have your child see an orthodontist? Every child’s teeth are different, so there is no best age for braces. However, there are some guidelines on when you should have your child see an orthodontist and talk through her orthodontic health. Fortunately, your pediatric dentist can point you in the right direction on finding the best place for orthodontic treatment if they don’t offer those services in-house.

When to Make the First Orthodontic Appointment

At Boulder Canyon, we agree with the American Academy of Orthodontists’ recommendation to make an initial orthodontic appointment when your child is seven years of age (unless there is a problem beforehand). Treatment may not be necessary at this time, but it is the time to lay the groundwork for what should happen over the next few years.

Orthodontists typically recommend braces once your child is between 10 and 14 years old. This is ideally after your child loses all of his primary teeth and his 12-year molars are all at least partially erupted. Starting too early may cause treatment plans to drag on longer than expected. No need to add more expenses, time or trouble for you!

There are some cases where we may consider a two-part treatment if correcting an individual issue is best before starting braces. Problems with overcrowding, overbites, or something that may cause permanent damage, are often best remedied before moving forward with braces.

Get a Second Opinion

Regardless of what your orthodontist recommends, ask questions so that you feel comfortable moving forward with any plan. Also, it never hurts to get a second opinion. You want to find the right solution for your child, and the one that feels financially right as well.

Boulder Canyon Dental is proud to offer orthodontic treatment within our dental practice. This additional service offering gives you the opportunity to seamlessly transition from traditional dental maintenance into the orthodontic path we lay out together for your child. Whenever you are ready to have your child see an orthodontist, we are excited to have an open discussion with you.

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