Orthodontics for Children

Find the Best Time to Start

As a parent, you want the best for your child. That includes healthy teeth and a pleasing smile.

At Hunter Family Orthodontics, our goal is to treat your children as if they were our own, by providing them with the best possible orthodontic care.

All Kids Should Get an Orthodontic Check-Up By Age 7

To have a long-lasting and healthy smile, your child needs teeth and jaws that are properly aligned – in other words, a healthy bite. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.

By then, your child’s teeth have developed enough for subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth to be spotted while some baby teeth are still present. At this check-up, we may find that your child’s bite is fine and braces for kids aren’t necessary.

Or, Dr. Hunter may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring your child’s growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for your child. In other cases, Dr. Hunter might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

Choosing the Optimal Time for Treatment

While the age that kids get braces may vary, orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are treated early.

If Dr. Hunter thinks your child will need treatment, he’ll let you know when it will be best to begin treatment.

This gives your orthodontist the best chance to:

  • Guide jaw growth

  • Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth

  • Correct harmful oral habits

  • Improve appearance and self-esteem in your child

  • Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position

  • Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face

< class="o-intro__heading u-"> What Is Early Treatment?

Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

In some cases, Dr. Hunter will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.