Early orthodontic care can make a big difference in how your child’s smile, bite, and jaw development progress. At Advanced Orthodontics in Mercer Island, our orthodontic team evaluates growth patterns early, monitors erupting teeth, and helps prevent small concerns from becoming more complex later on.
Some children benefit from early intervention, while others simply need periodic observation until the timing is right. Our goal is always the same: support healthy development and long-term results.
At What Age Should a Child First Visit the Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic screening by age 7.
At this age, most kids have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, which allows our orthodontists to:
- Identify developing bite or jaw alignment concerns
- Spot early crowding, spacing, or eruption issues
- Determine whether early treatment is helpful or if monitoring is best
- Plan the ideal timing for orthodontic care
Many family dentists recognize early warning signs and may recommend a consultation even before age 7 if something unusual is noticed.
Why Are Children Evaluated for Orthodontics So Early?
An early orthodontic evaluation is proactive, not premature. Even when treatment is not needed right away, an early visit gives your orthodontist the chance to identify issues early and guide development at the right time.
Early diagnosis and treatment may help:
- Guide erupting permanent teeth into healthier positions
- Preserve space for incoming adult teeth
- Reduce the risk of injury to protruding front teeth
When early treatment is recommended, it may also support:
- Improved jaw growth guidance during key developmental years
- Better arch width development (upper and lower jaws)
- Creating space for permanent teeth and reducing the chance of extractions
- Lower risk of impacted permanent teeth
- Correction of habits like thumb-sucking
- Support for abnormal swallowing patterns or speech concerns
In many cases, early orthodontic care helps make later treatment easier and more efficient.
Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Benefit Every Child?
No. Early treatment is not necessary for every child.
Some orthodontic concerns are best treated later in the teen years when all permanent teeth have erupted. Certain jaw-related (skeletal) concerns may also be addressed more effectively after additional growth has occurred, or once growth is more complete.
At Advanced Orthodontics, the doctor develops a personalized plan based on your child’s needs. If your child is not ready for treatment, we may recommend placement in our Orthodontic Supervisory Program for observation.
What Is the Orthodontic Supervisory Program?
Our Orthodontic Supervisory Program (sometimes called observation visits) is designed for children who are not ready for braces yet but still benefit from periodic monitoring.
This program allows our orthodontists to:
- Track the eruption pattern of permanent teeth
- Monitor jaw growth and bite development
- Catch poor eruption patterns early
- Recommend early removal of baby teeth when needed to improve spacing
- Potentially reduce future treatment time in braces
Children in observation are typically seen every 6 to 12 months to monitor progress. We also communicate any recommendations with your family dentist when appropriate.
If My Child Has Early Treatment, Will They Still Need Braces as a Teen?
Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. It depends on how the permanent teeth develop.
Early orthodontic treatment can correct significant issues, prevent concerns from worsening, and simplify future orthodontic care. However, because not all permanent teeth have erupted during Phase I treatment, final alignment may still require a second phase later.
Typically:
- Phase I (Early Treatment): Addresses growth, spacing, bite, or eruption concerns
- Phase II (Teen Treatment): Full braces or aligners to complete final alignment once all permanent teeth are in
The good news is that Phase II treatment is often shorter and more straightforward when early treatment creates a strong foundation.
Do We Still Need to See Our Family Dentist During Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes. Regular dental visits remain essential during orthodontic care.
Braces and orthodontic appliances can make it harder to keep teeth and gums clean, so professional cleanings and exams are especially important. We recommend continuing regular dental checkups and cleanings with your family dentist throughout orthodontic treatment to support excellent long-term oral health.
