Does Your Child Need Early Orthodontic Treatment? Here’s How to Tell
Your dentist just told you your 7-year-old should see an orthodontist—and your first thought was probably, “Already? They still have baby teeth.”
You’re not wrong to question it. Here’s something that might surprise you: most kids we see at that age don’t need braces. Not even close. But that evaluation? It’s one of the smartest things you can do for your child’s smile—and we’ll explain exactly why.
Early orthodontic treatment is one of those topics that sounds more intimidating than it actually is. The reality is pretty straightforward: some kids have jaw or bite issues that are much easier to fix while they’re still growing. For everyone else, the visit is about knowing what’s ahead so you’re never caught off guard.
This guide breaks down what early treatment actually involves, which kids benefit from it, and how to tell if your child needs care now—or if watching and waiting is the better move.
What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment—also called Phase 1 or interceptive treatment—is care that begins while your child still has some baby teeth, typically between ages 7 and 10. The goal isn’t to straighten every tooth. It’s to address specific issues like crossbites, crowding, or jaw growth problems that are easier to correct while your child is still growing.
Think of it this way: if your child’s jaw is too narrow or their bite is developing in the wrong direction, we have a window to guide that growth while the bones are still flexible. Once the jaw hardens in the teen years, those same corrections can require more time, more complexity, and sometimes surgery.
That said—and this is the part that gets lost in most articles about this topic—Phase 1 isn’t for every kid. It’s a targeted approach for specific problems. If your child’s teeth are a little crooked but their bite and jaw are developing normally? That’s not a Phase 1 case. That’s a “let’s keep an eye on things and start when the time is right” case.
After 10+ years of evaluating kids at this age, we can tell you: the evaluation itself is what matters most. It gives you information, not a sales pitch.
Why Do Orthodontists Recommend an Evaluation by Age 7?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child see an orthodontist by age 7. That recommendation surprises a lot of parents—so let’s talk about why it exists.
By age 7, your child has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. The first adult molars have usually come in, and the front permanent teeth are either in place or on their way. That combination gives an orthodontist enough information to spot developing problems—even ones that aren’t visible to the untrained eye.
We’re looking at three things during that visit: how the jaw is growing, how the teeth are coming in, and how the bite is developing. Most of the time—and we really do mean most of the time—the answer is, “Everything looks great. Let’s check back in 6 to 12 months.” That’s a good visit. That’s the visit we want to have with your family.
But occasionally, we see something that needs attention sooner rather than later. A crossbite that’s causing the jaw to shift. Severe crowding that could block permanent teeth from coming in properly. An underbite that will only get harder to correct as your child grows.
Catching those issues at 7 or 8 is different from catching them at 13. Not because we can’t help at 13—we absolutely can. But because the options at 7 are often simpler, shorter, and less involved.
The evaluation doesn’t lock you into anything. It gives you a plan—and honestly, peace of mind.
5 Signs Your Child Might Need Early Treatment
Not sure if your child’s smile needs attention now? Here are the specific things we look for—and that you can watch for at home.
1. A Crossbite (Top Teeth Sitting Inside Bottom Teeth)
When the upper jaw is too narrow, the top teeth can bite inside the bottom teeth on one or both sides. This can cause the jaw to shift and grow unevenly. Crossbites are one of the clearest cases for early intervention, because palate expanders work best while the bones are still developing.
2. Severe Crowding or Teeth Blocked From Coming In
Some crowding is normal and can wait. But if permanent teeth are physically blocked from erupting—or if there’s clearly not enough room in the jaw—early treatment can create space and prevent impaction.
3. An Underbite or Protruding Lower Jaw
When the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, it can signal a jaw growth imbalance. Addressing this early—while growth can still be guided—may reduce or eliminate the need for jaw surgery later.
4. Protruding Front Teeth
Upper front teeth that stick out significantly aren’t just a cosmetic concern. They’re more vulnerable to injury during sports and play. Early treatment can bring them back into a safer position.
5. Thumb or Finger Sucking Past Age 5
Prolonged habits like thumb sucking can push teeth forward and change the shape of the palate. If the habit persists beyond age 5 or 6, an orthodontist can evaluate whether it’s affecting development—and recommend a plan to help.
Here’s the thing to remember: having one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean your child needs treatment right now. It means they need an evaluation. Sometimes the best plan is to monitor and wait.
Phase 1 vs. Phase 2: What’s the Difference?
This is where a lot of parents get confused—so let’s make it simple.
Two-phase treatment means orthodontic care happens in two separate stages, with a rest period in between. Not every child needs both phases. Many kids skip Phase 1 entirely and start with Phase 2 (full braces or Invisalign) once all their permanent teeth are in.
Here’s how the two phases compare:
<table> <thead> <tr> <th>Factor</th> <th>Phase 1 (Early Treatment)</th> <th>Phase 2 (Comprehensive Treatment)</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Typical age</td> <td>7–10 years old</td> <td>11–14 years old</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Baby teeth present?</td> <td>Yes — mix of baby and permanent</td> <td>No — most or all permanent teeth in</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Duration</td> <td>10–18 months</td> <td>12–24 months</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Common appliances</td> <td>Expanders, partial braces, habit appliances</td> <td>Full braces or Invisalign across all permanent teeth</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Primary goal</td> <td>Guide jaw growth, create space, correct bite issues</td> <td>Align all teeth, finalize bite, refine smile</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Who needs it?</td> <td>Kids with crossbites, jaw growth issues, severe crowding, or impacted teeth</td> <td>Most kids and teens who need orthodontic care</td> </tr> <tr> <td>After treatment</td> <td>Rest period with monitoring until Phase 2</td> <td><a href=”https://waxortho.com/service/retainer-program/”>Retainers to maintain results</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
The honest truth? Roughly three out of four kids we evaluate at age 7 fall into the “watch and wait” category. Their teeth might not be perfectly straight, but their jaw and bite are developing fine. Those kids will likely benefit from one round of comprehensive care in their pre-teen or teen years—and that’s a perfectly good outcome.
Phase 1 is reserved for the cases where waiting would make things significantly harder. If an orthodontist recommends early treatment, it’s because they’ve identified something specific that benefits from intervention now—not because every 7-year-old needs braces.
That distinction matters. And frankly, it’s something that gets lost when practices push treatment on every child who walks in the door.
How Do You Know If Your Child Needs Treatment Now—or Later?
This is the question every parent is really asking. And the honest answer is: you won’t always know on your own—and that’s okay.
Some things, like a visible crossbite or teeth that are clearly blocked, you can spot at home. But a lot of what we evaluate—jaw growth patterns, how permanent teeth are tracking beneath the gums, whether the bite is developing in the right direction—requires X-rays and a trained eye.
Here’s what we’ve learned after treating thousands of families since 2014: parents are almost always relieved after the evaluation, regardless of the outcome. If your child needs early care, you’ll leave with a clear plan and a timeline. If they don’t, you’ll leave knowing what to watch for—and when to come back.
The three outcomes of an early evaluation are:
No treatment needed. Everything is developing normally. We’ll see you in a year.
Treatment may be needed later. We’ve spotted something to monitor. We’ll track growth over time and recommend care when the timing is right.
Early treatment is recommended. There’s a specific problem that benefits from intervention now. We’ll walk you through exactly what we’re seeing, why it matters, and what the plan looks like.
No matter which outcome you get, you’re making an informed decision instead of guessing. And that’s the whole point.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit
If you’ve never been to an orthodontist’s office with your kid, here’s what the visit actually looks like—because it’s a lot less intimidating than you might think.
Your first visit is free at our office. There’s no obligation, no pressure, and no one’s going to push you into anything. We want you to have information—what happens next is always your call.
Here’s the typical flow:
A quick exam. We’ll look at your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite. This takes just a few minutes and is completely painless.
X-rays (if needed). A panoramic X-ray gives us a full picture of what’s happening beneath the surface—teeth that haven’t come in yet, jaw growth patterns, and anything that might need attention.
A conversation with you. This is the most important part. We’ll show you exactly what we’re seeing, explain what it means in plain language, and talk through your options. If your child needs care, we’ll outline the plan and answer every question. If they don’t, we’ll tell you that too.
We get it—taking your kid to a new specialist feels like one more thing on an already packed calendar. But most families tell us afterward that it was easier than they expected and that they’re glad they came in.
Ready to find out where your child stands? Book a free consult—no pressure.
Is 7 too young for braces?
For most kids, yes—full braces at 7 aren’t necessary or recommended. The age-7 visit is an evaluation, not a treatment start date. An orthodontist will assess jaw growth and tooth development to determine whether early intervention is needed or whether your child should be monitored and treated later.
What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontics?
Phase 1 happens while baby teeth are still present (typically ages 7–10) and focuses on jaw guidance, crossbite correction, or creating space. Phase 2 occurs after most permanent teeth have erupted (ages 11–14) and involves full braces or clear aligners to align all the teeth and finalize the bite.
Does every child need early orthodontic treatment?
No. The majority of children evaluated at age 7 do not need immediate treatment. Many kids develop normally and are best served by a single phase of comprehensive care once their permanent teeth are in. Early treatment is recommended only for specific issues like crossbites, severe crowding, or jaw growth problems.
How long does Phase 1 treatment last?
Phase 1 treatment typically lasts between 10 and 18 months, followed by a rest and monitoring period. During the rest period, remaining permanent teeth are allowed to come in naturally before the orthodontist determines whether Phase 2 is needed.
How much does early orthodontic treatment cost?
Cost varies depending on the complexity of the case and the appliances used. Many orthodontic offices—including ours—offer free consultations and flexible payment options to help make care accessible. We work with families to create plans that fit real budgets, not one-size-fits-all pricing.
Since 2014, we’ve partnered with thousands of families navigating exactly these questions. Early orthodontic treatment isn’t about rushing into care—it’s about having the information to make the right decision at the right time for your child.
If your child is approaching age 7 (or older and hasn’t been evaluated yet), the best next step is a simple conversation. We’ll tell you what we see, what it means, and what—if anything—makes sense to do about it.
Book a free consult—no pressure.
About the Author
Dr. Nicole Wax, DDS, MS Dr. Wax is a board-trained orthodontic specialist with over 10 years of experience caring for kids, teens, and adults. A Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider and mom of four, she understands what families need from orthodontic care—because she’s living it too. Dr. Wax has been recognized as a Flint and Genesee 40 Under 40 honoree (2024) and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.