AAO Recommends Checkups by Age 7
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic checkup no later than age 7.
Why a Checkup by Age 7?
- The bite in the back is established when the first molars erupt. At that time, we can evaluate the front to back and side to side relationships of the bite, as well as discover any functional shifts.
- Front teeth have begun to erupt and problems can be detected such as crowding, habits, deep bites, open bites and some facial asymmetries.
- For some, a timely screening will lead to significant treatment benefits; for most, the principal immediate benefit is a parent's peace of mind.
"Early orthodontic checkups can lead to simpler, more effective treatment for patients."
The Benefits of Early Treatment
For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:
- Influence jaw growth in a positive manner
- Harmonize width of the dental arches
- Improve eruption patterns
- Lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors
- Correct harmful oral habits
- Improve aesthetics and self-esteem
- Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
- Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- Improve some speech problems
- Preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth.