Getting braces used to be a teenage rite of passage. Most kids didn’t see an orthodontist until age 12 or 13, after all of their permanent teeth had grown in.
But times have changed. Today, you might notice elementary school-aged children, as young as 7 or 8, with braces or an orthodontic appliance.
So why the uptick in orthodontic appliances and braces for kids so young?
Let’s take a closer look at early orthodontics, why it’s sometimes recommended and how our Naperville orthodontists help families decide the best time to start orthodontic treatment.
What Age Do Kids Need Braces?
There is no one “perfect age” at which kids need braces. A generation ago, when 2D x-rays were the norm and computerized treatment planning didn’t exist, the standard of care was to wait until all of the permanent teeth had erupted, usually by age 13 or so.
And, the truth is, even today, most kids don’t need braces until they are in their tween or teen years. But technology has changed what’s possible, and orthodontists can spot emerging issues much earlier.
At Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Dr. Manal Ibrahim and Dr. Christine Gin use 3D digital imaging to see exactly how your child’s teeth and jaw are developing. This means treatment can be timed more precisely to achieve the best results with the least invasive approach.
Sometimes, starting early is your best bet. When braces for kids are recommended, it’s generally limited braces on certain teeth to achieve very specific goals. More commonly, we use a gentle, less invasive Phase 1 orthodontic appliance like the new Invisalign® Palatal Expander or Invisalign® First aligners.
With these age-appropriate treatments, we can proactively guide jaw growth and help make room for permanent teeth before bigger issues arise.
When Should My Child Have Their First Orthodontist Visit?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. While this might seem surprisingly young, it’s really just an observational visit, where Dr. Ibrahim or Dr. Gin evaluates your child’s development.
If everything looks great, we simply keep an eye on their growth with checkups every six months to a year (which are complimentary). If we do spot a red flag, however, catching it early often means we can fix it more easily and avoid major treatment later.
Why are so Many Kids Getting Braces so Young?
Now on to the big question: Why would elementary school people need braces? The short answer is, not all of them do! For those who do need it, early orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontic treatment, can make a huge difference.
During the elementary school years, kids have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and the two halves of the upper jaw haven’t fused into one large bone yet. This stage gives orthodontists a unique opportunity to:
- guide jaw growth and facial growth;
- make space for incoming teeth to erupt as straight as possible;
- correct bite problems before they become more serious;
- normalize the rest of a child’s development for easier treatment later.
What Problems Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Address?
Early treatment is about prevention or, at the very least, minimizing future orthodontic problems.
Here are some common issues that early orthodontic treatment can address:
- Crossbite: This is when one or more of the lower teeth bite outside of the upper teeth, either in the front (anterior crossbite) or back (posterior crossbite) of the mouth. A crossbite can lead to wear on the teeth, jaw pain and facial asymmetry.
- Crowding: If there isn’t enough space for permanent teeth to come in, they often twist, overlap, become impacted, or erupt in the wrong places. Crowding makes kids more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease and enamel wear.
- Underbite: An underbite is when the lower jaw is positioned in front of the upper jaw, causing the bottom teeth to sit outside of the top teeth. It can impact chewing, lead to jaw pain, make teeth prone to damage and wear, and interfere with breathing.
- Overbite: When the top front teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth when the jaw is closed, it’s called an overbite. In extreme cases, kids may even bite into the roof of their mouths, which can damage the soft tissues. Overbites can cause chewing issues, jaw pain and enamel wear.
- Protruding Teeth: Protruding front teeth, or overjet teeth, are directly in harm’s way, making them more likely to be injured.
- Open Bite: An open bite is when the top and bottom teeth don’t meet. Having an open bite makes it difficult to bite and chew properly, impacts facial appearance and puts stress on the jaw joints.
- Thumb Sucking or Tongue Thrusting: These habits can narrow the palate, or the roof of the mouth, and affect teeth alignment. Early intervention can help break these habits before they cause long-term issues.
How Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Work?
Early orthodontics typically happens in two phases with a resting period between them:
- Phase 1 (Early Treatment):
Appliances such as limited braces, expanders (either a traditional expander or the Invisalign Palatal Expander system) or Invisalign for kids are used to correct growth-related concerns like bite problems or impending crowding. This phase usually lasts about 6 to 12 months.
For a more in-depth explanation, watch Dr. Ibrahim discuss early treatment.
- Retention Period:
After Phase 1, we pause and monitor your child’s growth. We have most kids wear a retainer for 6-12 months to maintain their results. They’ll come in for checkups, so we can determine if and when to start Phase 2 orthodontic treatment. - Phase 2 (Comprehensive Treatment):
Once all the permanent teeth are in, we fine-tune the smile with braces or Invisalign Teen. Thanks to Phase 1, we often avoid serial teeth extractions, invasive appliances to correct jaw discrepancies and, often, even jaw surgery.
The Benefits of Early Orthodontics
You might be wondering: What are the benefits of starting orthodontic treatment at an early age?
- Improved Facial Symmetry: Early treatment helps guide the jaw’s growth, creating more balanced facial features.
- Reduced Treatment Time Later: By addressing issues early, we can often reduce the amount of time a child needs to spend in braces or Invisalign Teen as a teenager.
- A Healthier Airway: Expanding the palate, or upper jaw, widens the base of the nasal airway, encouraging proper nasal breathing. Nasal breathing promotes ideal facial and jaw development, allows kids to take in adequate oxygen, and helps to reduce the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
- Fewer Extractions: By being proactive vs. reactive, we can make room for the permanent teeth to come in instead of having to create space by extracting teeth.
- Boosted Confidence: Having straight teeth and a properly aligned bite can help improve a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
- Prevention of Jaw Surgery: Many kids who receive early treatment avoid the need for corrective jaw surgery in the future. Once the jaw is done growing, surgery may be the only way to fix certain severe bite problems.
- Prevention of Dental Trauma: We can shift protruding teeth back to prevent them from being damaged or knocked out.
Why Choose Innovative Orthodontic Centers?
At Innovative Orthodontic Centers, we offer high-tech, comfortable early orthodontics in Naperville. Here are a few reasons why families choose our practice:
- Expert Orthodontists: Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Gin are American board-certified orthodontists and leaders in their field. They’re experienced in treating kids with all types of malocclusion.
- State-of-the-Art Care: We provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art orthodontics for kids. We use a powerful technology bundle, including 3D digital scanning, computerized treatment planning, and i-CAT imaging, to achieve the best possible results more quickly and comfortably.
- Metal-Free Phase 1 Orthodontic Solutions: As the #1 orthodontist Invisalign provider in Illinois, our case experience is second to none. We’re one of the few practices to offer Invisalign First, or Invisalign for kids in phase 1 treatment, and the Invisalign Palatal Expander System.
While, of course, we offer traditional expanders and braces for kids, every family has the option to skip the hardware!
- Fun, Friendly Atmosphere: Kids can hang out in our kidzCave arcade game room or kidzFlix cinema. With our Lil’ Innovators Club, young patients even earn rewards and have fun while building healthy habits.
Why Elementary School People Need Braces: The Bottom Line
In the past, braces for kids were a rarity. Instead, treatment was reserved for the teenage years. But today, early orthodontics plays a crucial role in keeping kids’ smiles and jaw development on track.
With an early evaluation by Dr. Ibrahim or Dr. Gin, we can identify potential problems and correct them while your child is still growing. By intervening early, we can avoid more invasive treatments down the road and set the stage for a beautiful, healthy smile.
Book Your Child’s Complimentary Growth & Development Checkup!
Ready to set your child’s smile up for success? Schedule a complimentary growth & development checkup with our Naperville orthodontists today!
