Knowing when to start your child’s orthodontist treatment can be difficult. Some children seem to get braces early, while others don’t need them until they are teenagers. To complicate things further, if you have multiple children, some may need braces earlier, some may need them later. So how do you know when to have your child see an orthodontist? Keep reading to learn more.

At what age should my child see an orthodontist?

Bruno Orthodontics recommends having your child visit the orthodontist for the first time at age seven. At this age, most children have lost some of their baby teeth and are still getting in their adult teeth. With both types of teeth present, your orthodontist will be able to get a good idea of how your child’s adult teeth will come in. They can also see if there are any teeth missing from your child’s mouth and take scans and X-rays as needed. 

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a referral from a dentist to schedule an orthodontist appointment! Just find an orthodontist you like that your insurance plan covers, and contact them directly. If you’re unsure which offices your insurance covers, or if your insurance covers any at all, contact your insurance carrier prior to reaching out to the orthodontic office. 

Why so early?

As mentioned above, most seven-year-olds have a mix of baby and adult teeth. Because of this, your orthodontist will be able to see potential orthodontic issues from this early age. This doesn’t necessarily mean your orthodontist is going to recommend braces for your seven-year-old; your child might not need treatment at all. But if they do, some things are easier and less costly to fix at an earlier age instead of waiting until they are teenagers. This means less hardware in your child’s mouth and a shorter treatment time, which equates to a lower cost for you. 

Early treatment can include partial braces (braces that are just on the front teeth, etc.), appliances, Invisalign First, expanders, or retainers, and they often need to be used for a shorter time period than when your child is a teenager or adult. While seeing an orthodontist for your seven-year-old child might seem unexpectedly early, the benefits of scheduling such a visit pay off in the long run. 

If your child doesn’t need orthodontic treatment right away, Bruno Smiles can continue to monitor their dental development. This would be done through periodic appointments as your child gets older. By doing this, we’ll know right away if orthodontic treatment is needed and be able to start treatment as soon as possible. 

If you’d like to schedule your child for a free consultation at Bruno Orthodontics, please contact us today! We’re happy to meet with you and your child to make a plan and review possible options for future treatment. We offer flexible payments and are ready to work with you and your family to create healthy smiles!