The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At Enoch & Lamei Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontists Dr. Harold Enoch and Dr. Amir Lamei provide early orthodontic treatment for children at their Marietta and Roswell offices. An early evaluation lets us identify potential problems while your child’s jaw is still growing, and in many cases, early treatment can make future orthodontic care simpler, shorter, and more comfortable.
Your child’s first visit is free, quick, and kid-friendly. Even if treatment is not needed right away, you will leave with a clear roadmap for your child’s smile.
Why Age 7?
By age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This gives your orthodontist a window to evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing and catch issues that are easier to correct while growth is still happening.
An age-7 evaluation does not mean your child needs braces right away. Many children we see at this age only need monitoring every 6 to 12 months until their permanent teeth come in. But for some children, early intervention can make a significant difference.
Signs Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment
Schedule an evaluation sooner if you notice any of these signs:
- Crowded or overlapping front teeth by age 7 or 8
- Gaps or spacing that seem unusual
- An overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or teeth grinding
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Jaw shifting, clicking, or a bite that does not line up evenly
- Thumb sucking or finger habits that continue past age 5
- Teeth that do not meet when your child bites down
Not all of these signs require immediate treatment, but an evaluation helps us determine the best course of action.
How Early Treatment Helps
Starting orthodontic treatment at the right time — rather than waiting until all permanent teeth are in — can provide lasting benefits:
- Guides jaw growth — helps widen a narrow palate and encourages the upper and lower jaws to develop in balance
- Creates space — makes room for incoming permanent teeth, reducing the risk of impaction and severe crowding
- Corrects harmful habits — addresses thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing that can alter jaw and tooth development
- Protects teeth — fixes crossbites and deep bites that cause uneven wear on tooth enamel
- Simplifies future treatment — early intervention often shortens the time your child spends in braces as a teenager
- Reduces the need for extractions — guiding growth early can eliminate the need to remove permanent teeth later
Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
Dr. Enoch and Dr. Lamei use a two-phase approach when early intervention is needed. This method separates treatment into two focused stages for the best long-term results.
Phase 1 (Early Treatment — Ages 7 to 10)
Phase 1 treatment focuses on jaw development and creating the right conditions for permanent teeth to come in properly. Common Phase 1 treatments include:
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw
- Habit appliances to address thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
- Partial braces on select teeth to correct specific problems
- Space maintainers to hold room for incoming permanent teeth
Phase 1 typically lasts 9 to 12 months and is followed by a resting period.
Resting Period
After Phase 1 is complete, your child enters a monitoring phase. We allow the remaining permanent teeth to develop and erupt naturally while checking progress every few months. During this time, no active treatment is needed.
Phase 2 (Comprehensive Treatment — Ages 11 to 14)
When all or most permanent teeth have come in, Phase 2 begins. This is when your child receives full braces or clear aligners to fine-tune the alignment of all teeth and ensure the bite is balanced and stable. Phase 2 treatment typically takes 12 to 18 months.
After Phase 2, your child receives retainers to maintain their results.
Ages, Stages, and What to Expect
Age Range | What We Evaluate | Typical Action |
|---|---|---|
5-7 | Spacing, crossbites, habits, jaw width | First orthodontic visit; monitoring or early intervention |
8-10 | Crowding, canine development, bite shifts | Phase 1 treatment if needed (expanders, habit appliances) |
11-14 | Full permanent dentition, overbite/underbite | Phase 2 braces or clear aligners |
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about adult orthodontics, you’re not alone. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from patients and parents.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation by age 7. At this age, your child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth that allows us to evaluate jaw growth and developing alignment. This visit is free at our Marietta and Roswell offices.
Not necessarily. Many children we see at age 7 only need monitoring. If early treatment is recommended, it is usually a targeted approach like a palatal expander or habit appliance to address a specific issue while your child is still growing.
Phase 1 typically lasts 9 to 12 months. After Phase 1, there is a resting period where we monitor your child’s development before beginning Phase 2 when the permanent teeth are in.
In some cases, yes. Responsible older children and teens who can wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day may be good candidates. Younger children or those with complex bite issues often do best with braces or specialized orthodontic appliances. We will recommend the best option based on your child’s specific needs.
Early treatment does not always eliminate the need for Phase 2 braces, but it often makes that treatment shorter, simpler, and more comfortable. In some cases, early intervention is enough on its own.