Early orthodontic care can make a big difference in how your child’s smile and bite develop. At San Marcos Orthodontics, Dr. Nader Ehsani and Dr. Sherry Sabet provide early orthodontic evaluations to monitor jaw growth, guide erupting teeth, and help prevent small concerns from becoming more complex later on. Whether your child needs early treatment now or simply needs monitoring, our goal is to support healthy development and long-term results.
At What Age Should a Child First Visit the Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic consultation by age 7.
By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, which allows our orthodontists to:
- Identify developing bite or jaw alignment concerns
- Spot early crowding or spacing issues
- Determine whether braces for kids or early appliances may be helpful
- Decide if treatment is needed now or best delayed
Many family dentists recognize early signs of orthodontic problems and may recommend an evaluation even before age 7 if something unusual is noticed.
Why Are Children Evaluated for Orthodontics So Early?
An early orthodontic evaluation is about being proactive, not rushing treatment. Early diagnosis helps us plan the best timing for care and can reduce the chance that issues become more severe as your child grows.
Early orthodontic treatment may help:
- Guide erupting permanent teeth into healthier positions
- Preserve space for incoming adult teeth
- Reduce the risk of injury to protruding front teeth
- Improve jaw alignment treatment during active growth
When early treatment is recommended, Dr. Ehsani and Dr. Sabet may also help:
- Support balanced jaw development
- Improve bite function and alignment
- Reduce the risk of impacted teeth
- Address habits like thumb sucking that affect tooth position
- Create space to reduce the chance of future extractions
Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Benefit Every Child?
No. Not every child needs Phase I (early) orthodontic treatment.
Some orthodontic concerns are more efficiently treated later, once most permanent teeth have erupted. In other cases, the best option is simply monitoring growth and eruption until the ideal treatment window arrives.
At San Marcos Orthodontics, we create a personalized plan based on your child’s development, bite, and long-term oral health. If treatment is not recommended right away, your child may be placed in our Orthodontic Supervisory Program.
What Is the Orthodontic Supervisory Program?
The Orthodontic Supervisory Program is designed for children who are not ready for braces yet but still benefit from periodic monitoring. This program allows our orthodontists to track growth and ensure treatment begins at the right time.
This program helps us:
- Monitor how permanent teeth are erupting
- Catch spacing or crowding concerns early
- Identify poor eruption patterns before they become more serious
- Recommend removal of baby teeth when needed to support healthier spacing
- Reduce the overall orthodontic treatment timeline later
Children in this program are typically seen every 6 to 8 months. We also coordinate recommendations with your family dentist. This monitoring is complementary.
What Are the Benefits of Early Orthodontic Care?
Early orthodontic care supports more than straight teeth. It can improve oral health, function, and development during key growth stages.
Benefits may include:
- Better bite alignment for chewing and speaking
- Easier brushing and flossing with improved spacing and alignment
- Reduced risk of uneven wear on teeth
- Improved long-term stability and tooth preservation
- More predictable future treatment planning
This early planning often helps reduce complications and supports healthier outcomes for teens and adults later.
If My Child Has Early Treatment, Will They Still Need Braces Later?
In many cases, yes. Early orthodontic treatment can correct significant growth or spacing issues, but because not all permanent teeth have erupted, Phase II treatment is often needed later to finalize alignment.
Typically:
- Phase I treatment addresses early growth, spacing, or bite concerns
- Phase II treatment (often braces for teens) refines alignment once permanent teeth are fully in
The good news is that Phase II treatment is often shorter, easier, and more predictable thanks to the early foundation created.
Do We Still Need to See Our Family Dentist During Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes. Regular dental visits remain essential during orthodontic treatment.
Braces and appliances can make plaque buildup easier, so routine cleanings and exams help protect your child’s teeth and gums during treatment. We recommend seeing your family dentist every six months throughout orthodontic care.
