Years ago, youth would get braces in their early teens, usually between 12-14 years old, or whenever their adult teeth had grown in. Today, children as young as 8 or 9 years old are getting braces. According to Dr. Stephanie Ross, DDS, MSD at Longmont Braces, it is important to young children’s jaw development to have their teeth monitored by an orthodontist while they still have their baby teeth.
Orthodontists have identified two phases for braces. The first phase typically begins around ages 8 or 9. During this phase a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist uses dental x-rays to identify problems such as impacted canines or jaw adjustments. The orthodontist can use braces to encourage the body to do what it really wants to. Sometimes that may involve pulling baby teeth or guiding the canines into their proper place, Ross said.
If these issues are left untreated, it can result in a need to consult an oral surgeon, Ross said, which can be more costly, involved and difficult to correct.
“Seeing kids early means we can monitor jaw growth and fix things when kids are young. It is often easier to correct these issues when kids are young and becomes harder the more mature a person’s bones become,” Ross said.
The second phase begins around 12-14 years old when children usually have all of their adult teeth. During this phase it is easier to fix a person’s bite and rearrange any out of place teeth, Ross said. She added that some children skip the first phase and go straight to the second. “It depends on what kinds of adjustments are necessary,” Ross said.
Ross recommends that parents take their children to a pediatric dentist or to an orthodontist around the age of 8 or 9. Pediatric dentists are trained to identify these issues in children and usually recommend an orthodontist if it is necessary. Ross said parents do not need a referral to see an orthodontist.
Early intervention may require two phases of braces, but can also reduce the total amount of time children need them. Before the two phase strategy, teens could be in braces 4-5 years. Typically, if children need the first phase of braces they only need them for eight months to a year. The second phase may be as little as a year and a half but can be longer depending on what is needed.
One of the largest concerns Ross hears from patients is that orthodontists are trying to put kids in braces for no reason. “Orthodontists are not putting young kids into braces. We are conservative as much as possible but it can make a big difference when braces are needed,” she said.
