Early Orthodontic Evaluation for Children

Both the Canadian Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children have their first orthodontic check-up by age seven. At Stars Orthodontics, an early evaluation gives our specialist team a unique opportunity to monitor your child’s facial growth, jaw development, and emerging teeth right from the start.

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By age seven, a child’s first adult molars have usually erupted, establishing their back bite. This milestone allows an orthodontist, a dental specialist with years of advanced university training in jaw growth and alignment, to evaluate how your child’s upper and lower jaws fit together. At this stage, we can spot early signs of crowding, crossbites, severe overbites, or open bites before they fully develop.

 

Catching structural concerns early allows for timely, preventive care. When early intervention is recommended, phased orthodontic treatment helps guide growing jaws and builds a healthier foundation for a child's incoming adult teeth.

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How Early Evaluation and Care Benefit Your Child:

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• Guiding Jaw Development: Supports natural facial symmetry and helps the upper and lower jaws grow in proportion.

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• Creating and Preserving Space: Opens up room for crowded adult teeth to erupt properly and holds space for teeth that have not come in yet.

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• Protecting Front Teeth: Reduces the risk of chipped or damaged teeth if your child has protruding front teeth.

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• Managing Habits: Helps identify and address habits like thumb-sucking, mouth breathing, or tongue thrusting that can alter jaw shape.

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• Simplifying Future Treatment: Makes comprehensive care during teenage years simpler, often reducing the need for permanent tooth extractions later on.

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Routine Growth Monitoring

It is important to know that an early assessment does not automatically mean your child needs braces right away. In fact, most seven-year-olds are not ready for active treatment. If intervention is not needed, Stars Orthodontics will simply invite your child into our complementary monitoring program. This allows Dr. Sharaf to track their growth over time and ensure that if orthodontic care is ever needed, it begins at the optimal clinical moment for your child.