Orthodontics for Children

At what age is orthodontic treatment recommended?

What are the factors influencing the timing for orthodontic treatment?
In principle, orthodontics can be performed at any age, as long as the teeth are susceptible to adhesion. However, the influence on jaw growth is only possible after the patient is fully grown. Stages of jaw development generaly parallel stages of skeletal development.  Adolescence and cessation of growth are earlier in females (at about 14) and males (at about 17). Furthermore, psychological factors such as maturity, motivation, etc., are important for the necessary cooperation of the patient and therefore will influence the timing of treatment.

Below is a summary of tooth development and options of orthodontic intervention. Ages are avergae and do not consider natural variants existing in patients.

A. Temporary dentition (ages 3-5.5 ) comprises only milk teeth
Only problems that may incur complications in time, malfunction, habits, etc., are treated at these early ages. For example, deviation of the lower jaw from the center duting closing. Treatment at such a young age depends on the cooperation of the patient which is often hard to achieve. It treatment is performed, it becomes the first stage of a two-part treatment, the second being at 11-13.

B. Mixed dentition (ages 5.5-11) comprises deciduous and permanent teeth
At these ages it is possible to intervene in deviation of the lower jaw, conditions of serious protrusion of the upper teeth placing them in danger of breakage, relative protrusion of the lower jaw, not if too sever and not requiring future surgical intervention, impacted incisors, and the like. Grwoth occurring during this period will usually aid treatment efforts. Treatments performed at this time are also the first stage of a two-part treatment.

C. Young permanent dentition (12-14) comprises permanent teeth (with the exception of wisdom teeth)
During this period the grwoth of the body and jaws is relatively speedy (especially in males, while in females accelerated growth may occur earlier), and therefore it is possible to influence jaw growth and to place the permanent teeth correctly. Most orthodontic treatment is performed at these ages.

D. Adult dentition (after 17) when growth ends
At this stage, conditions are treated that could have been treated earlier but for some reason, were not . If there is involvement of improper position of the jaws, the treatments are combined with surgery of the jaws. Likewise other treatments may be involved, such as rehabilitation,  periodontics, etc.

In special cases, orthodontic treatment is performed at other stages than described above. For example, infants born with a cleft palate receive a feeding "plate" , which serves as a pre-surgical treatment. Occasionally, there is a need for guided tooth eruption or treatment by serial extractions performed during the mixed dentition period.

At what age is it recommended to have the first orthodontic examination?
The first visit to the orthodontist should be at the time of eription of the permanent incisors, between the ages of 6-8.