When to start treatment? - Face Focused Orthodontics

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment:
A Guide for Parents

As a parent, one of the most important decisions regarding your child’s health is knowing when to bring them to see an orthodontist. Here at Face Focused Orthodontics, we believe that early evaluations are crucial for identifying potential issues and ensuring your child’s growth and development stay on track. We offer free consultations for patients under age 18, unless they are already in treatment and here for a 2nd opinion. Here’s a guide to help you understand when and why your child should start seeing an orthodontist.

The Best Age for an Orthodontic Evaluation:
Age 6-7

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up around age 6 or 7.

At this stage, a combination of baby and permanent teeth is typically present, allowing Dr. Yu to assess how their teeth and jaw are developing. At Face Focused Orthodontics, we embrace a “less is more” philosophy for your child’s care. Dr. Yu provides free growth guidance, monitoring their dental and skeletal development over time.

Even if your child’s teeth appear straight and there are no obvious bite issues, an orthodontic evaluation acts as a wellness check to ensure everything is progressing as it should. If treatment is not necessary after the initial consultation, Dr. Yu will not recommend any unnecessary interventions.

We’ll continue to monitor their growth at no cost, ensuring that if treatment becomes necessary, it’s started at the right time for optimal jaw development. If no treatment is required, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your child’s dental development is progressing naturally and healthily under expert care.

Why Early Orthodontic Evaluation is Important?

Parents often wonder when is the right time to bring their child to the orthodontist. While age is a helpful guideline, specific signs can indicate the need for an earlier evaluation. Early intervention allows us to guide your child’s development, addressing issues before they become more complex. Here are key reasons why children should see an orthodontist early:

Mouth breathing or snoring during sleep
Difficulty biting or chewing food
Crowded, crooked, or misplaced teeth
Excessive thumb-sucking beyond the toddler years
Teeth that don’t meet properly when the mouth is closed
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty speaking clearly

If your child exhibits any of these signs, it’s a good idea to schedule an orthodontic evaluation, regardless of age.

What to Expect at Face Focused Orthodontics?

At Face Focused Orthodontics, we strive to make your child’s first orthodontic consultation a comfortable, informative, and stress-free experience. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during the visit:

Initial Health Intake
Prior to your visit, we will send you an Initial Health Intake Form when you make your appointment. This form allows you to provide your child’s medical and dental history in advance. By reviewing this information ahead of time, we can ensure everything is up to date and tailor the consultation to your child’s specific needs. Gathering this information helps us better understand your child’s unique dental and growth patterns, ensuring a more efficient and personalized experience during their visit.
Diagnostic Imaging
To get a detailed view of your child’s dental and skeletal development, we may take diagnostic images such as an Itero 3D imaging scans. (You can visit our “Your First Visit” page for more details)
Comprehensive Examination
Dr. Yu will perform a thorough examination of your child’s teeth, jaws, and facial structure. This will include checking for alignment issues, bite problems (malocclusion), tongue tie, crowding, or any signs of improper growth. The consultation also allows Dr. Yu to assess whether baby teeth are being lost at the appropriate time and how the permanent teeth are coming in.
Discussion of Findings and Growth Guidance
After completing the examination and reviewing any pre existing diagnostic images, Dr. Yu will discuss his findings with you in detail. He’ll explain whether treatment is needed at this time or if it’s best to monitor your child’s growth over time. If no immediate treatment is required, Dr. Yu will recommend growth guidance to track your child’s dental and skeletal development, ensuring that any future treatment is started at the ideal time.
Treatment Recommendations (If Necessary)
If treatment is needed, Dr. Yu will provide a personalized plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. This plan will detail the recommended orthodontic approach, whether it’s expander, braces, aligners, or other appliances, and will outline the expected duration of treatment. Dr. Yu will also explain the benefits of starting treatment at the current stage versus waiting and answer any questions you may have.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
If treatment is not needed right away, you won’t be left wondering about your child’s progress. At Face Focused Orthodontics, we offer complimentary growth monitoring, where we regularly evaluate your child’s development to ensure treatment begins at the optimal time if ever needed. These follow-up appointments provide peace of mind, knowing your child’s dental health is carefully monitored without any rush to start unnecessary interventions.
Cost and Insurance Discussion
We’ll also discuss any financial aspects, including treatment costs and insurance coverage. If treatment is recommended, we’ll walk you through your payment options and any financing plans to ensure orthodontic care is accessible and affordable for your family.

Our practice is designed to provide orthodontic care for patients of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. We strive to ensure everyone feels comfortable and at ease throughout their visit. Our experienced team is well-equipped to work with patients at every stage of life, making each consultation a positive, educational experience that fosters confidence in their dental health.

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment: A Guide for Parents

The Best Age for an Orthodontic Evaluation: Age 6-7

Why Early Orthodontic Evaluation is Important?

What to Expect at Face Focused Orthodontics?

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment:
A Guide for Parents

The Best Age for an Orthodontic Evaluation:
Age 6-7