The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children first visit the orthodontic office by the time they are 7 years old. This is important because the teeth and jaws are developed enough for our orthodontist, Dr. Michael Bowen, to know if there will be alignment issues that need treatment now or in the future. Most of the time, treatment is not necessary at this age, but this appointment can help you know when to begin treatment for your child.

It’s usually recommended to begin the orthodontic journey around age 12-14, which is when all of the permanent teeth have grown into place. This is a great time to align the smile because the jaw and teeth are still vulnerable to pressure, which means it’ll be easier to shift and align the teeth. Your child can align their teeth with one of many treatment options, like braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign®, and more, and the treatment should last about 12-18 months, depending on the severity of the misalignment.

If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about orthodontic treatment in Scottsdale, Arizona, please remember that our orthodontic team is always here to help you. All you need to do is reach out to Great Big Smiles Orthodontics by dialing 480-948-4200!