Gangseo-gu Dentist: When Should Children Begin? Timing for Pediatric Orthodontics

Hello,

I am Dr. Soo-kyung Lee, director of Every Dental Clinic.

“Some of my child’s teeth are a little crooked... Should we start orthodontic treatment now?”

Many mothers ask me this in the consultation room.

You may be worried that starting orthodontic treatment too early could cause side effects,

while starting too late could make the teeth become severely misaligned.

In fact, with pediatric orthodontics, when to begin is important.

During the growth period, not only the teeth but also the jawbone is developing.

This makes it possible to use this period effectively to support alveolar bone growth and create space for the teeth to erupt more easily.

So today, from Every Dental Clinic in Naebalsan-dong, Gangseo-gu, I will explain to parents who are considering orthodontic treatment when it is best to begin.

If you are thinking about orthodontic treatment for your child, this may be helpful to read.

When should my child begin orthodontic treatment?

The appropriate time for pediatric orthodontics is around age 7–8, when the front teeth begin to erupt.

In other words, this is the early mixed-dentition stage, when primary and permanent teeth are present together.

This is a period when the jawbone is actively growing,

which makes it possible to guide jaw development effectively and create sufficient space for the teeth.

An X-ray shows that the dental arch is filled with developing teeth.

You can see that the two upper front teeth and two lower front teeth have erupted, right?

A growth and orthodontic evaluation is needed around this time.

However, every child grows at a different rate, so the timing cannot be determined solely by tooth eruption or age.

By precisely analyzing growth plates and the extent of tooth eruption through panoramic and cephalometric X-rays, it is possible to determine accurately whether orthodontic treatment should begin immediately or whether it would be better to monitor the child for a little longer.

Therefore, receiving a growth assessment at age 7–8 is the starting point for orthodontic treatment.

What are the advantages of pediatric orthodontics?

The first is cost reduction.

Orthodontic treatment for adults can cost more than twice as much as pediatric orthodontic treatment.

Second, when orthodontic treatment begins during the growth period,

growth and orthodontic treatment take place simultaneously,

which can reduce the likelihood of needing extractions or complex orthodontic treatment as an adult.

Most importantly, securing space in advance for the permanent teeth to grow in can help prevent problems such as cavities, twisted teeth, and malocclusion.

The third is that treatment takes less time than adult orthodontics.

Adult orthodontic treatment usually takes two and a half to three years,

whereas pediatric orthodontic treatment takes approximately one to one and a half years.

The fourth is that orthodontic treatment during this period allows the teeth to move more gently and causes less pain,

so children can adapt more easily.

What are the benefits of the increasingly popular clear aligners for children?

In the past, pediatric orthodontics was mainly performed using fixed palatal expansion appliances or rapid maxillary expanders known as RME.

Recently, more children are choosing clear orthodontic appliances for pediatric orthodontic treatment.

As the name suggests, clear aligners are not easily noticeable, which reduces the psychological burden,

and they are much more comfortable because they cause almost no irritation inside the mouth compared with metal brackets.

As a result, it is rare to encounter a child who cannot adapt to them.

Most importantly, they can be removed when eating or brushing,

making it easier to maintain oral hygiene and reduce the risk of cavities.

Another advantage is that children can develop the habit of putting in and managing their appliances on their own.

Clear appliances are not suitable for every child.

Their suitability should be assessed based on the condition of the teeth and jaw development before making a choice.

At Every Dental Clinic, we operate a dedicated clear-aligner program for growing children following a detailed evaluation.

Taking the child’s level of cooperation and stage of growth into account,

we recommend the most comfortable and effective orthodontic method.

Not every child needs to begin orthodontic treatment at the same age.

Also, not every child needs pediatric orthodontics.

However, receiving an orthodontic and growth evaluation around age 7–8, when the front teeth begin to erupt,

is the first step toward an even tooth alignment that can last a lifetime.

At Every Dental Clinic, we carefully consider each child’s growth rate, personality, and ability to cooperate

while providing pediatric orthodontic treatment designed to minimize pain and discomfort.

The step you take now to guide your child’s growth in a healthy direction

can lead to a confident smile for a lifetime.

This post describes an actual case and was written with the patient’s consent.

Treatment results may vary depending on each patient’s oral condition, lifestyle, treatment method, and other factors,

and the same results are not guaranteed for every patient.

This post is intended to provide information and help explain the treatment process.

Please determine a specific treatment plan through an in-person consultation.

To protect personal information, all elements that could identify the patient’s face or identity have been excluded.

This post was prepared in compliance with Articles 56 and 57 of the Medical Service Act.

The photographs used in this treatment case

were used without alteration with the patient’s consent.