“What is the earliest age someone can get braces?”
My child whose 7 has very crooked teeth. At what age can he get braces?
20 Answers
OrthodontistBraces,Oral
Depending on the situation, sometimes interceptive pediatric orthodontics are performed to help guide in erupting teeth, making full treatment easier and faster later on.
There are many reasons for teeth to grow in misaligned. Depending on the situation, a lot of times early intervention can be done to either eliminate the need for future braces or at least minimize the problem. It also depends on the maturity of a child. So technically children as young as 3 can be treated. There are many ways of manipulating teeth without actual fixed braces.
It’s best to wait until all permanent teeth are in before getting braces. See a qualified orthodontist to help your child with this crowding
Age 7 is when they recommend children go in for a consultation. Your orthodontist can recommend when a good age is based on your child's bite and potential jaw growth.
I would recommend going to an orthodontist and have your child's teeth and jaw development properly evaluated. There are times I have had 7 year old patients in braces to correct an issue, then have them removed and reassessed once there is more dental development present.
Some young children with severe crowding can definitely benefit from "early intervention" with braces around age 7-9 - this depends on the orthodontist and whether enough permanent teeth are in. For most cases, orthodontists prefer to have all four of the back permanent "six year" molars fully grown in, as well as all four top and bottom front teeth. On average that is by about 8 years old. It never hurts to see an orthodontist for a consultation. Most orthodontists do their consultations for free - so look up a few around you and call to see what they offer. That way they can give you a clear idea of what to expect with braces and whether your child needs braces right away or can wait until all his permanent teeth come in (around 13 years old). Most of the time, understand that although he may get braces now to help prevent more complex orthodontic trouble down the road, kids that get the "Phase One" (what I called "early intervention" above) braces around age 8, will often need a second round of braces once all of the permanent teeth come in. However, this does not mean that everyone can just wait until 13. Some kids really need the early intervention.
This is a difficult question to answer because the timing of braces depends so much upon the problem and the development of the dentition. Have your child examined by an orthodontist. Perhaps he can recommend something that will shorten the time and lessen the cost of treatment.
Depending on the severity of the crowding and the development level of the child, orthodontic treatment may be initiated as early as age 7. Braces specifically however, will likely be placed at a later age, toward the end of the treatment. Good luck.
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
Dr. Cyril Tahtadjian
A pediatric dentist should be consulted to treat this mixed intuition problem with a retainer or super vised serial extraction of teeth to allow proper option for later treatment by the orthodontists. The longer you wait on this critical stage the more expensive the later orthodontic treatment will be.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child be seen at age 7 for his or her initial orthodontic evaluation. That does not mean that treatment will be rendered at that time. Rather, it may be that the orthodontist evaluates your child annually to make sure a dental condition does not worsen. In some cases, early treatment is needed for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes even as early as 7. If you see an orthodontist, they should be able to tell you if it’s appropriate for your son to start now.
Dovid Friedman, DMD
Dovid Friedman, DMD
I would seek a consult with an orthodontist. Braces can be put on at a fairly early age, but it really depends on several factors and each individual case. Seeing an orthodontist for a consult would be the best option concerning your son.
Owen M. Waldman, DMD
Owen M. Waldman, DMD
Good day,
It depends, every case is different. Children at a young age may have removable appliance if necessary, whereas for fixed (braces), usually around age 11~13. My advice is visit your dentist for a proper consultation.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
It depends, every case is different. Children at a young age may have removable appliance if necessary, whereas for fixed (braces), usually around age 11~13. My advice is visit your dentist for a proper consultation.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Kids should see an orthodontist once their permanent teeth start coming in, around age 7. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Starting the process early doesn't mean a child will get braces right away. Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is orthodontic treatment that is done before all of the permanent teeth have erupted, and often occurs between the ages of six and ten.
So many factors weigh in on knowing the right time to initiate orthodontic treatment. Your child's skeletal age, developmental age, and jaw relationship are just a few factors that need to be considered. Usually at age 7 years, if there is a cross bite, then a palatal expander is utilized to widen the upper arch in preparation for traditional braces later. Otherwise, generally speaking, 7 years is young to initiate traditional orthodontic treatment. The best advice is to ask your child's pediatric dentist for guidance!
It is a good idea to have an evaluation with the orthodontist at this point to discuss treatment options. sometimes an orthodontist would like to start with phase 1 treatment (possible expansion) to help with the actual braces process in the future. This would make treatment easier for the child.
Crooked teeth are not an indication for early orthodontics. We look at the patient's bite and severity of tooth crowding. If you are concerned, then I would recommend following up with a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist for an evaluation.
It’s advisable to wait until 12 years of age so all permanent teeth erupt, but if you see signs that the child may need treatment with braces, then make an early visit to an orthodontist as necessary interceptions might be needed at this age.
Not a good idea at that age.
Most children get braces after they get most of their permanent teeth but this can be done earlier in some children. Usually some baby teeth are pulled to make room for permanent teeth if there is no room and they are crooked. Get your dentist to refer him to an orthodontics for recommendations
