By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that the dentist or orthodontist can identify current problems, anticipate future problems and alleviate parents' concerns if all seems normal. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by age 7, and cross-bites, crowding and developing injury-prone dental protrusions can be evaluated. Any ongoing finger sucking or other oral habits can be assessed at this time also.

Some signs or habits that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination are:

• early or late loss of baby teeth,
  
• difficulty in chewing or biting,
  
• mouth breathing,
  
• thumb sucking,
  
• finger sucking,
  
• crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth,
  
• jaws that shift or make sounds,
  
• biting the cheek or roof of the mouth,
  
• teeth that meet abnormally or not at all, and
  
• jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.

An orthodontic screening no later than age 7 enables the orthodontist to detect and evaluate problems (if any), advise if treatment will be necessary, and determine the best time for that patient to be treated.

The essence of orthodontics is a treatment result that includes all of the permanent teeth (except wisdom teeth).  "Early" orthodontic treatment should be reserved for only that which can not be done at a later time or is easier to treat "early".  This approach will result in patients wearing braces for less time, give a superior result and will be less expensive.

© 2001,2006 Christina M. Martin, D.D.S., M.S. PA All Rights Reserved.