Early treatment

Name: Straight Smiles
Telephone: (03) 5941 5188

Orthodontic treatment isn’t only for teens. In fact, it can be more beneficial to start treatment in the childhood years, when we can intercept orthodontic issues before they begin or worsen. This can save you time and money on treatment in your child’s teenage years.

At what age should my child first visit an orthodontist?

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends for children to visit a Specialist Orthodontist around the age of seven – and preferably before the age of 11. During this time, Dr Karim can catch orthodontic issues early and stop them in their tracks.

Your child may not need to start treatment at this young age, but we can monitor the growth of their smile and intervene when it would benefit your child most.

At what age should my child first visit an orthodontist?

The importance of early orthodontic treatment

An early consultation helps us take a proactive approach to your child’s orthodontic treatment. We can identify any problems, address their orthodontic needs, and reduce the cost and length of orthodontic treatment they may need later.

Early orthodontic treatment can help to:

Establish good habits
Help your child become comfortable in a dental/orthodontic setting
Improve overall health, breathing, speaking, and digestion
Reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment in the teenage years

Signs your child needs orthodontic treatment

Not all signs of orthodontic need are obvious, which is why it is best to have an early consultation with a Specialist Orthodontist. That being said, here are some signs that indicate your child could benefit from orthodontic treatment:

Thumb sucking past the age of five
Mouth breathing
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Cheek biting
Difficulty chewing – which could mean your child’s jaws are out of alignment
Excessive spacing between adult teeth
Crowding of adult teeth (teeth that are overlapping)
Teeth that don’t meet together when your child’s mouth is closed

Signs your child needs orthodontic treatment

Invisalign® First for children

One early treatment option we offer is Invisalign® First. This is a special Invisalign® treatment for kids that helps guide the growth of their jaws and make room for their teeth to grow in. Invisalign® First aligners are comfortable and removable, making them a great introduction to orthodontics.