PRIME Orthodontics · First check by age 7

Early Orthodontics for Kids

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. Most kids just get a "see you later." When early treatment does help, it can make later treatment shorter or simpler.

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At a glance

First check by age 7
Or earlier, if something looks off. You don't need to wait.
A check-up isn't braces
For most children the result is reassurance and a plan to watch growth.
Phase 1, only when it helps
Recommended when waiting could make a problem harder to fix.
Same trip as a cleaning
Orthodontics shares space with kids dentistry in most of our offices.

Why age 7?

By around seven, the first permanent molars have usually arrived and the front teeth are coming in. Kids have a mix of baby and adult teeth, so an orthodontist can see how the bite is setting up and how the jaws are growing. Some problems are easier to guide while a child is still growing than to fix later.

What we look for

Crowding or spacing as adult teeth come in
Crossbites, where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth
Upper front teeth that stick out and are at risk of injury
Open bites or deep bites
Habits such as thumb-sucking that are shaping the teeth or jaws

When Phase 1 treatment makes sense

Only a few orthodontic problems need correcting around age 7. When we recommend early (Phase 1) treatment, it’s usually because waiting could make the problem harder to fix. Early treatment can make later treatment shorter or simpler. You can see real early-treatment results, like crossbites and open bites, in our smile gallery.

Already older than 7?

It’s not too late. Orthodontists treat children, teens and adults. See braces and clear aligners.

At PRIME, orthodontics shares space with kids dentistry in most of our offices, so a first ortho check can often happen on the same trip as a cleaning.

Sources

General information, not a diagnosis. Talk with your dentist about your own needs.