When Is the Right Time for Your Smile to Get Orthodontic Treatment?

Timing is everything!

A radiant, healthy smile is more than just a confidence booster. It can be a vital component of your overall health, but many people hesitate to seek orthodontic treatment. When is the right time? Has the window closed? The answer is “no.” Orthodontic care can help at any age, but understanding the timing can make significant differences in the efficiency, cost, and success of the treatment. If you are a parent looking out for your child’s development or an adult who is ready to invest in your smile, Sensational Smiles can help you achieve the smile you’ve looking to get.

Why Early Intervention is So Important

While teeth can move at almost any age, there is an advantage to starting young. Early intervention, often called interceptive orthodontics or phase I treatment, takes advantage of a child’s natural growth. When Sensational Smiles sees patients while they are still growing, we are able to guide the development of their jaw and ensure there is enough room for their permanent, or adult, teeth to emerge in the correct places. By addressing any structural issues early on, we can often prevent more involved procedures later, like tooth extractions or jaw surgery. Treating a problem while it is still developing is usually much easier than trying to fix it once the bone structure has been solidified.

Why Age Seven Matters

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that every child has an orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. This may seem early because children normally have a mix of primary and adult teeth at this stage, but age seven is a critical milestone for many reasons. First, tooth crowding can be spotted early. By this age, enough adult teeth have erupted that a trained orthodontic specialist can see how the arch of the mouth is shaping up.

Your child’s jaw can also be assessed to see how their jaws are growing and aligning. This also includes an evaluation of your child’s bite. Evaluating these things early on can allow for an orthodontic specialist to see if your child needs any early intervention to help correct these problems before all of their adult teeth come in.

Orthodontics for Teens

For most, the teenage years are the standard time for orthodontic treatment because by the ages of 12 to 15 most, if not all, of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw has reached the point of development where the bite can be precisely aligned. Another reason that the teenage years are ideal for orthodontic treatment is because teens benefit from a high metabolism and rapid bone remodeling, which can lead to faster treatment times when compared with adults.

Having braces, whether traditional metal braces or clear aligners, can be a bonding moment for teens, as many of their peers may be experiencing the same thing. The goal during this time is to finalize the function and aesthetics of your child’s smile.

Orthodontics for Adults

While braces aren’t as common in adults, they aren’t unusual either. Adult orthodontics is one of the fastest-growing areas of dental care, with about a quarter of orthodontic patients being adults.

The biological process involved in moving teeth is the same in a 40-year-old as it is in a 14-year-old, although it might take longer for an adult’s orthodontic treatment because the jaw bones have stopped growing, which makes it harder for the teeth to shift places. However, modern technology has made orthodontic treatment more appealing for adult professionals. There are discreet orthodontic options available, like clear aligners, or lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth.

Improving your smile as an adult isn’t just about vanity. It is also about correcting long-standing bite issues that can lead to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, headaches, and more. Improving your smile really can be all about improving your health.

Signs That It’s Time for an Evaluation

Regardless of your age, there are certain red flags that suggest you should book a consultation sooner rather than later for an orthodontic evaluation. Some signs it may be time to see a specialist include the following.

Visibly Crooked or Crowded Teeth: If your teeth are overlapping, it can be harder to clean them efficiently, which increases the risk of dental caries and cavities.

Gaps and Spacing: If you have spaces between your teeth, this can cause other teeth to shift out of place. It can also lead to gum irritation.

Bite Problems: If you experience difficulty chewing, you may need orthodontic treatment to avoid biting the inside of your cheeks or your tongue. If your teeth don’t meet properly when your mouth is closed, this can also be a sign you need braces.

Jaw Discomfort: Structural misalignment can cause your jaw to click, pop, or even feel stuck. Orthodontics can help shift things back into place.

Protruding Teeth: Any teeth that are sticking out or not in their proper place are more prone to chipping or breaking, and even an accidental injury.

A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

While early orthodontic intervention can make a significant difference in the complexity of treatment, orthodontic treatment is available at every stage of life. If you are wondering if now is the right time, it probably is. Give Sensational Smiles a call today to schedule an appointment!