It is definitely never too late to begin orthodontic treatment but in most cases, earlier is better than later. It is important for everyone to see an orthodontist early as a child and studies have shown that initial orthodontic screening for children should take place before the age of 7. Bring yourself or your child in to see Dr. Nima Mir for a free consult appointment, it never hurts.
Dr. Nima Mir can help with the early detection of orthodontic problems in young children, which may make it easier to correct problems in the long run. Although evaluations are important at an early age, it doesn’t mean early treatment will be necessary. In many and most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, Dr. Mir will monitor the child’s growth patterns until it is clear that it’s time for treatment to begin. This helps in achieving the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.
Every child’s development is different but in many cases, children’s first adult molars have typically started to emerge by around age six. This, along with other developmental markers, lets orthodontists get an understanding on the basic alignment of the teeth, from front to back and side to side. It may also be possible at this point to determine whether there is adequate room in the mouth for all of the permanent teeth — and, if not, to take action.
Treatment for common orthodontic problems typically begins around age 9-14, when all of the baby teeth are gone and many of the permanent ones are in place. But there are some conditions that are much easier to treat if they’re caught at an early age when a child’s natural growth processes are going full speed ahead.
For these reasons, the American Association of Orthodontics, recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7. Stop by York Orthodontics or give us a call, and we will gladly set up a free consult appointment for you and any family members.
It is never too late or too early to see Dr. Nima Mir.
