The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic consultation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problem or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be indicated, but comprehensive examination may help to determine the best time to begin treatment.

In many cases, early orthodontic treatment is indicated, and its results are so beneficial because they enable the jaws to better align, help to create room for the developing permanent dentition and may save the patient from having the need to have the teeth extracted in the future. Early orthodontic treatment also lessens the degree of future treatment, or in other words, maximizes the growth potential and offers greater opportunity for more effective treatment; thus, if treatment is needed at a later date, it’s simplified.

Early treatment is often called interceptive treatment or Phase One treatment. Some of the many benefits of early treatment are:

• Create room for crowded/unerupted teeth
• Create ideal facial symmetry and more harmonious jaws relations
• Eliminate future need for extraction of permanent teeth or jaw surgery
• Prevent impaction of canine teeth
• Raise the self-esteem of self-conscious children
• Reduce the risk of fracture of front teeth by eliminating their protrusiveness
• Reduce treatment time with braces
• Make later treatment easier and more comfortable

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