Early evaluations. Smart timing. Healthy smiles that grow with your child.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, kids typically have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, allowing us to identify early signs of crowding, spacing, or jaw growth concerns before they become more complex.
At Providence Orthodontics, we take a conservative, individualized approach to early orthodontic care. Many children simply benefit from periodic monitoring until the timing is right, while others may need short, gentle treatments to guide growth and prevent future complications.
Our approach looks beyond just tooth alignment — we also consider how jaw growth, facial balance, and airway development work together to support your child’s overall health.
When Might Interceptive Treatment Make Sense?
Early intervention can help when:
- The upper or lower jaw is developing too narrow or unevenly
- There’s significant crowding or not enough room for adult teeth
- The bite is affected by habits like thumb-sucking or mouth-breathing
- Airway or breathing patterns suggest narrow arches or limited space for the tongue
- Teeth are erupting abnormally or at risk of becoming impacted
Common Early Treatment Options
Palate Expanders
A palatal expander gently widens the upper jaw to create room for permanent teeth and improve how the upper and lower jaws fit together. Expansion at a young age can also help correct asymmetric or narrow growth patterns, supporting better airway development and balanced facial growth.
Space Maintainers
When a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer keeps the area open so the permanent tooth can erupt correctly. This simple appliance helps preserve alignment and prevent shifting that could complicate future orthodontic treatment.
Guided Eruption
Sometimes small adjustments can encourage permanent teeth to move naturally into the right position as they erupt. This gentle guidance helps minimize crowding and keeps developing smiles on track.
Habit Appliances
Prolonged thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting can affect jaw growth and tooth position. Habit-correcting appliances can help guide proper development and support a healthy bite — and in some cases, promote improved breathing patterns.
Two-Phase Treatment
In select cases, early orthodontic treatment is followed by a resting period, then a second phase once all permanent teeth have erupted. This approach allows us to guide jaw growth early and refine alignment later for optimal results.
Our Philosophy
Early orthodontic visits are about timing, not urgency. Most of the time, the best next step is simply to observe and wait for the right moment to intervene. Our goal is to ensure your child’s smile develops in a way that’s healthy, functional, and beautifully balanced — without doing more than what’s necessary.
Schedule a complimentary consultation at Providence Orthodontics in Providence, RI to learn more about interceptive orthodontic options and whether your child could benefit from an early assessment.