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Smile D Dental Clinic · 19년 경력 전문의✅환자 중심 스마일디치과 · July 30, 2026
Is it okay to start even though my child is still in elementary school? Do we need to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted before getting an examination? Will starting d...
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This page is an English translation of a Korean Naver Blog archive entry. For exact wording and source context, verify against the Korean archive original and the original Naver post.
Clinic: Smile D Dental Clinic
Original post date: July 30, 2026
Translated at: August 17, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Medical note: This translation does not guarantee medical accuracy or suitability for treatment decisions.
Is it okay to start even though my child is still in elementary school?
Do we need to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted before getting an examination?
Will starting during summer vacation make it easier to adjust than during the school term?
Summer vacation is approaching, and many parents begin looking into their child’s tooth alignment and the appropriate time to start orthodontic treatment.
During the school term, it can be difficult to schedule dental visits because of classes, after-school academies, and exams. During vacation, however, families may have more flexibility to undergo an examination and allow time to adjust to the appliance.
However, the rate at which permanent teeth erupt, the condition of the dentition, and the growth direction of the upper and lower jaws vary from child to child. It is therefore important to first assess the current oral condition and then determine the appropriate timing.
Why consider an orthodontic examination especially during summer vacation?
Summer vacation is not a period when treatment itself can necessarily be completed quickly.
However, it can be a relatively convenient time to plan a consultation, examination, and initial adjustment period.
When an appliance is first fitted, the teeth may feel sore or tight, and the appliance may feel unfamiliar in the mouth.
Depending on the type of appliance, eating or speaking may also feel different from usual.
Because the academic schedule is relatively less demanding during vacation, some families find it easier to plan time to adjust to the initial discomfort.
Orthodontic treatment does not begin simply by attaching an appliance right away.
The current alignment and bite are assessed, and, when necessary, examinations such as radiographs, intraoral photographs, and oral scans are performed before the treatment approach is determined.
Because there is relatively less pressure from the academic schedule during vacation, it may be easier to coordinate examination and consultation appointments.
At the beginning, children need to learn how to brush around the appliance, which foods to avoid, and how to manage any discomfort.
Growing children may especially need to develop tooth-brushing and appliance-care habits together with their parents.
Summer vacation should not be understood as a period when treatment must be started unconditionally. Rather, it can be a good time to assess the current condition and establish an adjustment plan.
The timing of an orthodontic examination and the actual start of treatment may be different
Receiving an examination does not mean that an appliance must be fitted immediately.
Some children may need treatment right after the examination, while for others it may be more appropriate to observe the eruption of the permanent teeth and jaw growth for a certain period.
This is why it can be difficult to determine the timing of treatment based only on age or school grade.
| Items to check | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Eruption of permanent teeth | Whether the permanent teeth are erupting in an appropriate order and direction |
| Tooth alignment | Whether there is enough space for the permanent teeth to settle into place |
| Bite | Whether the upper and lower teeth meet stably |
| Jaw growth | Whether the size and growth direction of the upper and lower jaws are balanced |
| Oral habits | Whether habits such as mouth breathing, thumb-sucking, or tongue thrusting are present |
Starting treatment excessively early may unnecessarily lengthen the treatment period.
Conversely, if the appropriate time for an examination is missed, it may be difficult in some cases to make use of changes occurring during growth.
Therefore, the important question is not “At what age should treatment begin?” but rather “What problems are present now, and is intervention needed at this point?”
What should be checked during the growth period?
Orthodontic treatment during the growth period does not simply mean straightening the visible teeth.
The available space for the teeth, the direction in which the permanent teeth are erupting, the growth of the upper and lower jaws, and the bite relationship should all be assessed together.
Jaw growth direction
During the growth period, the upper and lower jaws continue to develop.
If there is a difference in growth rate or direction, changes such as the lower jaw appearing to project forward or appearing relatively small may occur.
The timing of examinations and treatment may vary depending on the child’s skeletal condition and degree of growth.
Space for the permanent teeth
If the permanent teeth are large compared with the available jaw space, or if the primary teeth fall out earlier than expected, the permanent teeth may erupt overlapping one another or cause crowding.
Because it is difficult to determine the position and direction of unerupted permanent teeth by external observation alone, radiographic examination may also be performed when necessary.
How the upper and lower teeth meet
Even if the teeth appear evenly aligned, the upper and lower teeth may not meet properly.
It is necessary to check whether the front teeth bite in the opposite direction, whether there is a gap between the front teeth when the mouth is closed, or whether the teeth meet excessively deeply.
Consider an examination if you notice any of the following
If any of the following changes are observed, it may be helpful to use the vacation period to check the current alignment and bite.
The presence of these signs does not necessarily mean that treatment must begin immediately.
Even dentition that looks similar on the outside may require a different treatment approach depending on the cause and the child’s growth status. Therefore, accurately distinguishing the current condition through an examination should come first.
So, what is the process for orthodontic treatment?
In general, treatment is planned through the following process.
Stage 1: Consultation and oral examination
The concerns experienced by the parent and child are identified, and the tooth alignment, cavities, gum condition, and oral habits are assessed.
Stage 2: Comprehensive examination
The following examinations may be performed as needed.
Stage 3: Determining the timing and method of treatment
Based on the examination results, the dental team determines whether to begin treatment now or observe the growth process for a certain period.
If treatment is needed, the type of appliance, estimated duration, appointment schedule, and care instructions are explained.
Stage 4: Appliance placement and regular checkups
After the appliance is fitted, regular checks are performed to confirm whether the teeth are moving as planned and whether there are any problems with the appliance.
The interval between appointments may vary depending on the type of appliance, the treatment stage, and the individual’s oral condition.
Frequently asked questions from parents—FAQ Time~!
Q1. If treatment starts during summer vacation, will it finish sooner?
Starting during vacation does not itself shorten the treatment period.
The treatment period may vary depending on the alignment and bite, the extent of tooth movement, the degree of growth, the type of appliance, and the patient’s cooperation.
The advantage of vacation is not a shorter treatment period, but the relative convenience of securing time for examinations and initial adjustment.
Q2. Do we have to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted?
Not every child needs to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted before receiving an examination.
If an imbalance in jaw growth, an underbite, or insufficient space for the permanent teeth is suspected, the condition may need to be assessed earlier.
However, actual treatment may still begin later after the examination.
Q3. Isn’t it too early for an elementary school student to wear an appliance?
The type of malocclusion and the child’s growth status are more important than school grade.
When immediate treatment is not necessary, the appropriate timing can be observed through regular examinations.
Conversely, if a problem related to the growth process is identified, treatment may be considered at a relatively early stage.
Q4. Will it be too late if we cannot start during vacation?
No, it will not.
Summer vacation is simply a convenient time for coordinating appointments; it is not a period when every child must begin treatment.
The decision should be based on the current condition of the teeth and jaws rather than on whether it is vacation.
Orthodontic treatment during summer vacation: Appropriate judgment matters more than starting quickly!
Summer vacation is a good time to examine your child’s tooth alignment and bite and, when necessary, make time to adjust to an appliance.
However, orthodontic treatment during the growth period is not necessarily better simply because it is started as early as possible.
Rather than looking only at the current tooth alignment, the eruption of the permanent teeth, the growth of the upper and lower jaws, and the bite should be assessed together before determining the timing that is appropriate for the child.
If your child’s teeth are erupting overlapped or the bite looks unusual, why not use this summer vacation to first check the current condition?
At 스마일디치과의원, we comprehensively assess the child’s growth stage and oral condition before explaining the examinations and care approach that may be needed.
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※ The results of all treatments and examinations may vary depending on an individual’s oral condition, overall health, the characteristics of any condition, and the stage of growth. During orthodontic treatment, temporary tooth pain, a foreign-body sensation, and difficulty maintaining oral hygiene may occur. Depending on the type of appliance and the treatment process, side effects such as cavities, gum inflammation, and root resorption may occur. Before treatment, please receive sufficient information from the medical professionals about the individual treatment method and precautions.
This post was prepared in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including Articles 56 and 57 of the Medical Service Act, and is informational content intended to provide general medical information that is exempt from medical advertising review. It does not guarantee the effects of any specific procedure or replace a medical diagnosis, and the images and materials used in the text are examples intended to aid understanding. The actual diagnosis and treatment method will be determined through consultation and care by medical professionals.
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