What's the Best Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

Most of the time, when it comes to orthodontic treatment, timing matters. If orthodontic treatment is performed too early, before teeth have solidified their position in a fully matured jawbone, it may not be effective and may require further treatment. 

However, if treatment gets delayed, dental issues could develop later that are more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to address.

Although the average age to begin orthodontic treatment is around age 10, there isn’t a single best age for orthodonture. Some kids need treatment early on to prevent severe oral health issues, while others may put off treatment and still achieve an aligned smile later in life. 

Whether you want to learn about aligning your young child’s smile or your own as an adult, there are some good general guidelines to follow for undergoing orthodontic treatment. 

At Beaches Dentistry in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, our team, led by Nodesh Shyamsunder, BDS, and Jasleen Raina, DDS, offers orthodontic treatment for both children and adults. In this month’s blog, we discuss how age can impact treatment timing and what treatments are available for various ages. 

Orthodontics for kids and teens

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children start seeing an orthodontist at age 7, when they have a good mix of baby and adult teeth. At this initial visit, our team evaluates your child’s smile to ensure we address issues now or in the near future.

Even if your child’s teeth look fairly straight and are falling out in a normal pattern, their molars still reside below the gum’s surface, hiding any potential future issues. 

After our team looks at your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw, they give you one of three outcomes: have your child undergo early orthodontic treatment, wait to see how their teeth continue to grow, or skip orthodontic treatment since no issues were visible. 

If a “wait-and-see” approach gets recommended, you can bring your child in annually or biannually until they get older and require treatment during adolescence. 

Orthodontics for adults

If you never underwent orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, or the results of previous treatment changed as you got older, you’re certainly never too old to undergo initial or repeat treatment. The science behind how teeth move in response to the force of orthodontic treatment remains the same, no matter what your age. 

Expert orthodonture at every age

Whatever your age or life stage, our team provides the expertise and knowledge required for effective orthodontic care and beautiful results. Call our office or use our online booking feature today to learn about our orthodontic treatment options or to schedule a consultation to begin your orthodontic treatment journey.