Early Orthodontic Evaluations: What Parents Need to Know

When many parents think about orthodontics, they picture teenagers wearing braces. What often surprises families is that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This doesn’t mean your child will need orthodontics treatment at age 7, but it does allow us to gather important information about how their teeth and jaws are developing.

By age 7, most children have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This stage gives us a valuable window into your child’s growth and development. During an orthodontic evaluation, we can assess how the jaws are growing, how permanent teeth are erupting, and whether bite issues may be developing. Problems such as crossbites, severe crowding, underbites, overbites, and jaw growth discrepancies can often be identified and treated when necessary.

As orthodontists, we receive years of specialized training beyond dental school to diagnose and treat conditions affecting tooth alignment and jaw development. Our goal is not simply to straighten teeth, but to help create a healthy, functional bite that supports long-term oral health.

One of the greatest benefits of an early orthodontic evaluation is the opportunity to monitor your child’s growth. In many cases, no treatment is needed right away. Instead, we may recommend periodic observation appointments so we can ensure that your child is developing as expected. Establishing this baseline allows us to identify potential concerns early and determine the ideal timing for treatment. It also gives your family the opportunity to become familiar with our office, our team, and the orthodontic process before any treatment begins.

For some patients, early intervention—often referred to as Phase 1 treatment—may be beneficial. At this stage, treatment can help guide jaw growth, create space for incoming permanent teeth, correct certain bite problems, and address harmful oral habits. Some breathing, snoring, and tongue positioning issues can improve with orthodontic treatment. By taking advantage of a child’s natural growth, we may be able to reduce the severity of future orthodontic issues and simplify Phase 2 treatment in the teen years. Many parents assume they should wait until all baby teeth have fallen out before seeing an orthodontist. However, baby teeth often play an important role in a child’s development. Even when a child is approaching Phase 2 treatment, which typically involves full braces on the permanent teeth, we may recommend keeping certain baby teeth in place for a period of time. These teeth can serve as natural space maintainers, helping guide permanent teeth into more favorable positions and supporting the overall treatment plan. Because every child develops differently, treatment timing is always customized to meet each patient’s unique needs.

An early orthodontic evaluation is also an opportunity for education. We enjoy helping parents understand what to expect as their child’s smile develops. We’ll discuss eruption patterns, growth changes, oral habits, and any factors that could influence future treatment decisions so you can feel informed and confident about your child’s dental development.

An orthodontic evaluation by age 7 isn’t about starting braces early—it’s about gathering information and planning for the future. Whether treatment is recommended immediately, years from now, an early assessment provides peace of mind and helps ensure that any concerns are identified at the right time.

Just as routine visits with your pediatrician help monitor your child’s overall health, an orthodontic evaluation helps us monitor the growth and development of the teeth and jaws. It’s a simple step that can make a meaningful difference in creating a healthy, functional, and confident smile for years to come.

We look forward to meeting you and helping your family navigate every stage of your child’s orthodontic journey at Lenhart Orthodontics!