At Newtown Orthodontics, many parents ask about the best age for orthodontic treatment. And it’s an excellent question to ask! Not many people realize that orthodontic issues can be detected by the time a child is seven years old. It’s important when considering when to take a child to an orthodontist for an exam, that you consult with orthodontic experts who are not only skilled and practiced in treating children, but also caring and compassionate.

What is the Best Age to Get Braces?

Although many people are curious about the optimal age to get braces, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a child have their first orthodontic visit by their seventh birthday. At this age, an orthodontist can typically detect any orthodontic problems, see if any baby teeth need to be removed, and help design a personalized treatment plan. If, however, a parent happens to notice that something “looks” concerning, they can have their child seen by an orthodontist at an earlier age.

During an orthodontic exam, an orthodontist will evaluate whether:

• Permanent teeth are erupting properly
• Baby teeth need to be extracted
• Crooked teeth need to be straightened
• Gaps in the teeth need to be closed
• Crowded teeth need to be corrected
• Development of the jaw and teeth are healthy and on-track
• Overbites, underbites, overjets, and misalignment of the jaw are present

Based on what an examination reveals, the dentist can determine what type of orthodontic treatment is best for each child. And, to answer the much-anticipated question of how soon can you get braces for your child, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), most orthodontic treatments begin between the ages of 8 and 14.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

While traditional braces are certainly an option for many families, at Newtown Orthodontics, we also offer Invisalign® and 3M Clarity Aligners. During your child’s first visit, Dr. Heather Albert and Dr. Guy Coby will go over all treatment options, tailoring an orthodontic plan to meet the specific needs of your child.

Both braces and aligners take roughly the same amount of treatment time—between 18-36 months depending on the patient’s progress. The biggest difference between the two treatments is that clear aligners can be removed (although they should be worn a minimum of 22 hours for best results), whereas braces are not removed until treatment is complete.

When Orthodontic Treatment is Underway

Once a personalized orthodontic plan has been put in place for your child, Dr. Albert and Dr. Coby will ensure that you and your child know how to care for the braces or clear aligners (which include a series of aligner trays). You will also be instructed on how to maintain best oral hygiene habits, as well as how frequently you will need to visit our office for checkups and adjustments.

No matter what orthodontic treatment plan your child receives, you can be confident knowing that Newtown Orthodontics prioritizes safety, comfort, and friendly service—all in a cozy and welcoming environment.

Our team will also help ensure that you have a payment plan to accommodate your family’s needs. This includes in-house, interest-free financing, processing your insurance claims, or Care Credit if you need to make payment arrangements (You can fill out an online Care Credit application here).

If you are ready to move forward with orthodontic treatment for your child, you can schedule your appointment now. Or, call us any time at (215) 504-5437 for any questions you may have.