It’s a myth (and a little wishful thinking) that teeth straighten as they erupt. This is why we, as well as all the major orthodontic associations around the world, recommend bringing children for an orthodontic assessment at around 7 or 8 years of age. Even if your child still has baby teeth, we can assess them for their potential orthodontic requirements.
By this stage, it’s common for some adult teeth to have already erupted, while others are in the process of forming. This provides a helpful baseline and gives some clear pointers about what to expect as your child’s teeth develop. It also means you can plan for it in your life and budget.
Apart from establishing a clear picture of your child’s teeth, there are many other benefits to starting early:
- Improves the outcome of the final result of treatment
- Makes comprehensive treatment easier
- Reduces the need for extraction of teeth as part of treatment
- Improves balance of jaw relationship
- Allows natural jaw growth to compensate for jaw size discrepancies
- Prevents injuries to teeth and jaws
- Improves self-esteem and confidence