It's best for the orthodontist to see children by
age 7 to advise
if orthodontic treatment is
required and it is the best time for
that patient to
be treated. The first permanent molars and
incisors have usually come in by that time and
crossbites,
crowding, and other problems can be
evaluated. 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 the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth,
correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or
speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify
later treatment.
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