What Is The Best Time For Orthodontic Treatment?
Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as two to three years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
Orthodontic Stages
- Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages two to six years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger- or thumb-sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
- Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of six to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and six-year molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw mal relationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
- Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.
