Timing of treatment

Some treatments, notably the correction of anterior cross-bites, can be carried out very early, e.g. aged 7-8. Most patients though first come to see us for orthodontic opinions around the age of 11 or 12 (or whenever the last of their baby teeth are being lost). Most orthodontic treatment is started soon after this point.

However, we are seeing more and more older patients (adults in their 20s and 30s through to their 60s and 70s!) who have missed out on orthodontic treatment in earlier life (or who didn't wear their retainers as directed after their first orthodontic treatment!), or who are finding that overcrowding of teeth is getting worse as they progress through adult life. Treatment can be just as successful in later life, and almost invisible braces can be used, for more information please look at the different appliance types.

Early Expansion Treatment

There is currently a minority trend for 'early intervention' orthodontic treatment, where patients are started on treatment as young as 8 or 9, or sometimes even earlier.  Special appliances are used to expand the dental arches (i.e. make the mouth physically wider) to make more room for teeth and thus avoid the need for extractions. After this, braces are fitted to align the teeth.

One of the concerns many qualified orthodontists have regarding this type of treatment is the potential for the arch expansion and position of the teeth to relapse after treatment, so we only recommend this approach where we are sure patients will benefit and the result will be stable long term. Expanding dental arches inappropriately can actually do more harm than good. Please contact us if you would like more details of this approach, or would like an opinion or a second opinion.