The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by the orthodontist at 7 years old or even earlier if the dentist or parent discovers a problem! The idea of "waiting until all the baby teeth have fallen out" is obsolete. The timing of orthodontic treatment is extremely important and directly affects the treatment outcome. While orthodontics (braces) involves tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves guiding facial growth and development(which occurs primarily during childhood). Appliances such as palatal expanders and headgear are frequently used to correct skeletal abnormalities. There is a limited "window of opportunity" to address these skeletal/facial issues (as growth must be occurring).

Early treatment is known as "PHASE I" or "Interceptive Treatment" and presents the opportunity to:

• CREATE more room for crowded erupting teeth
• CREATE facial balance by influencing jaw growth
• REDUCE risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• PRESERVE or gain space for unerupted teeth
• REDUCE the need for permanent tooth removal
• SIMPLIFY treatment time for subsequent full braces ("Phase II," if needed)
• IMPROVE the self-image of our children

Here are some early warning signs:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite (front teeth do not overlap)
• Crowded teeth
• Excessively spaced teeth
• Crossbite (upper teeth bite inside lower teeth)
• Early or delayed tooth loss
• Gummy Smile
• Speech problem
• Mouth breathing (may have airway issues)
• Harmful oral habits (thumb/lip sucking)
• Tongue thrust