At what age should children get braces?

Did you know that the first visit to the orthodontist should be made no later than 7 years old? One of the most frequent questions we receive from parents is “when should I bring my little one for an orthodontic consultation?” Braces are often associated with adolescence, so you might be surprised to hear that there are also cases of braces being applied to 7-year-old children.

This does not mean that every 7-year-old child needs to be consulted by an orthodontist, but periodic check-ups are very important for them.

It is important for the orthodontist to monitor the development of the little patient because some problems can be corrected much more effectively at a young age. As we approach the end of the growth process, the bones become stronger, more resistant, and orthodontic treatment, which is still possible, becomes more difficult. If we apply a dental brace to children, at a younger age, we have the opportunity to guide the growth of the jaws and modify their position.

Unfortunately, this is not possible for adults, and treatment solutions are limited to orthognathic surgery or tooth extraction for orthodontic purposes.

Signs that indicate the need for braces in children

Here are some signs that should indicate to the parent that the "bite" is not correct:

• Replacing baby teeth too early or too late
• Difficulty chewing
• Mouth breathing
• Crowded, impacted teeth
• Thumb sucking
• The habit of biting the cheek
• The gnashing of teeth
• Protrusive front teeth (positioned too “outside”), with risk of fracture or avulsion
• Dental spacing or crowding
• An affected facial appearance
• Pain or noises in the temporomandibular joint
• Dull or prominent chin
• Reverse gear, reverse bite, cross bite, open bite

For a correct diagnosis, along with the clinical consultation, complementary examinations such as radiographs, photographs, and impressions for study models are also performed. Depending on all these signs, the most appropriate treatment option for the application of dental braces in children is chosen.

The early orthodontic treatment is tailored to a child’s growth and dental development. It usually begins with a removable appliance to guide the jaw growth and correct early issues, followed by a second phase, using a fixed orthodontic appliance to align the teeth and finalize the results.