Even though most people think of pre-teens and teens when they think of orthodontics, it's not always easy to tell when your child has a orthodontic problem. There are good reasons your child should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner:

Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

While your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later stage shorter and less complicated.

In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that wouldn't be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:

•  guide jaw growth
•  lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
•  correct harmful oral habits
•  improve appearance and self-esteem
•  improve the way the lips meet

Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.