Screening for Early Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening check-up no later than age 7.
The majority of the bite is established when the first molars erupt around age 7. At that time, one can evaluate the overbite and side to side relationships of the bite, as well as discover any functional shifts or crossbites. Incisors have begun to erupt and problems can be detected such as crowding, oral habits, open bites and some jaw growth imbalances. For some, a timely evaluation will lead to significant treatment benefits intercepting and correcting developing problems. For others, continued observation of the child's dental development will allow any necessary treatment to be started at the optimum time.
Early treatment may be appropriate in the situations shown below.
