Braces For Kids
& Early Orthodontic Treatment
When is the best age to get braces or Invisalign?
The AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation at age 7.
That might sound early, but it doesn’t mean treatment will begin right away. Dr. Wall takes a thoughtful, personalized approach—listening to your concerns and guiding you toward what’s best for your child.
Because every smile develops at its own pace, we focus on monitoring growth before recommending treatment. And if your child isn’t ready yet, they’ll join our children’s observation program, where we keep an eye on their smile and step in at just the right time.
Is early orthodontic treatment necessary?
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about ‘straightening teeth’. It’s about intercepting problematic conditions before they worsen, preventing discomfort or difficulties associated with untreated conditions, and establishing a healthy foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth.
The goal of early treatment is to develop the jaws to allow for ideal dental development. By supporting proper growth of the jaw and correcting certain bite issues early on, we can eliminate the need for more complex, lengthy forms of treatment (such as jaw surgery) in the future.
Two-Phase Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment is best separated into two phases, designed to work alongside the natural development of the teeth and jaw bones.
PHASE 1
Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is typically completed between the ages of 7 and 10 and is aimed to prepare the mouth for permanent teeth to emerge in a healthy alignment with a sufficient amount of space.
During this phase, your child may be treated with a palatal expander appliance, or another appliance, to widen the upper jaw and create enough room for permanent teeth to grow.
Phase 2
This phase generally begins in the early teen years, when all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Phase 2 treatment focuses on aligning the teeth and jaws to create a harmonious appearance. During this phase, a full treatment of braces or Invisalign® First is often completed.
Every child develops at a different rate, and your child’s treatment plan will be 100% personalized to his or her needs. At your first visit, we’ll give you all of the information you need to make the right choice for your little one!
Does my little one need treatment?
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, we encourage you to request a complimentary consultation with us!
An early assessment of your child’s growth gives you the peace of mind that your child is thriving.
- Teeth growing in crowded, crooked or overlapping
- Too much space between the teeth
- Jaw growth inconsistencies or disproportions
- Protruding teeth
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Thumb sucking habits or tongue-thrusting habits
Smile beautifully
And have a good time along the way!
We are your hometown Statesboro orthodontist, providing custom braces and Invisalign® for the whole family. Get started with a complimentary consultation.