It’s best for the orthodontist to see children by age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and if it is the best time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding, and other problems can be evaluated.

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Most children will need only a single step of full braces upon eruption of all adult teeth (average age 12). The average treatment time for your child’s full braces is 18 to 24 months.

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Some children, however, need a preliminary stage of treatment known as Early/Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment, usually starts around the age of 7-9 where there is a mixture of adult and baby teeth. Often this treatment will take advantage of the early growth spurt, taking a difficult orthodontic problem and making it into a more manageable one. Most early treatments still require a second phase of treatment at the adult dentition stage to achieve the final bite.

Sometimes, your child may not be ready for any orthodontic treatment as yet. In these scenarios, your child will be placed on a free periodic orthodontic review to monitor growth and development while awaiting the ideal time to commence treatment.

In all cases, Dr Foo will contact your regular dentist or any other dental specialists to coordinate and plan your treatment in order to optimize the end results.