“When should I take my child to the orthodontist?” is one of the most frequent questions from parents. The short answer: at age 7 for the first check-up, even if it seems too early. Here’s why and what follows.
Why age 7 — and not later
At ages 6-7, the child already has:
- First permanent molars erupted (at age 6)
- Permanent incisors in eruption (6-8 years)
- Jaws still in active growth
This means the orthodontist can:
- See how permanent dentition aligns — how much space exists, whether there’s crowding or abnormal gaps
- Diagnose skeletal problems — crossbite, prognathism, retrognathism — which can be corrected only at growth age
- Identify bad habits — thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting — which deform the jaws
- Plan preventive interventions — sometimes 6 months of treatment at age 8 avoids 2 years of fixed braces at 14
The American Association of Orthodontists officially recommends the first orthodontic consultation at age 7. International standard.
Signs you should schedule consultation earlier
Regardless of age, come to the orthodontist if you notice:
- 🦷 Visible crowding of teeth (from the front)
- 🤐 Incorrect bite — upper teeth don’t cover lower as they should
- 💨 Chronic mouth breathing — child keeps mouth open (especially at night)
- 👅 Tongue pushed between teeth when swallowing or speaking
- 👄 Thumb sucking after age 4-5 — deforms arches
- 😬 Facial asymmetries — one side of face appears different
- 🗣️ Speech problems — altered pronunciation of S, T, or other sounds
- 🦷 Early loss of baby teeth (before natural time)
- 😴 Snoring or child apnea (often linked to jaw problems)
The 3 phases of orthodontic treatment in children
Phase 1: Interceptive orthodontics (7-10 years)
Goal: correcting skeletal problems and bad habits before they worsen.
Typical cases:
- Crossbite (lower tooth covers an upper one)
- Narrow upper jaw (requires widening / palatal expansion)
- Bad habits (thumb sucking, mouth breathing)
- Early loss of baby teeth → space maintainer
Appliances used:
- Functional removable appliance — worn 12-14 hours/day
- Palatal expander (fixed) — widens palatal arch
- Bionator, Frankel, Twin Block — correct jaw relationships
- Space maintainer — preserves space for permanent tooth
Typical duration: 6-12 months of active intervention + monitoring.
Phase 2: Waiting and monitoring (10-12 years)
After phase 1, observation period — we wait for all permanent teeth to erupt, with check-ups every 6 months.
It’s possible after phase 1 no fixed braces are needed. But often phase 1 just prepares the ground for a shorter intervention at 12-14 years.
Phase 3: Definitive orthodontics (12-15 years)
Goal: final alignment of all permanent teeth.
Appliance types:
- Fixed metal braces — most used, effective, accessible
- Fixed sapphire braces — for teenagers wanting discretion
- Invisalign Teen — transparent aligners, specifically for teens with good discipline
- Lingual braces — invisible (rarer for children due to cost)
Typical duration: 12-24 months of fixed braces + long-term retention.
Benefits of early start
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Shorter treatment in adolescence | Phase 1 preparation reduces fixed braces duration by 20-30% |
| Avoiding extractions | Early expansion makes room for all teeth — no later extractions |
| Correcting skeletal problems | Only possible until puberty — after 14-15 years requires surgery |
| Eliminating bad habits | Easier to correct in children than adolescents |
| Aesthetics and confidence | Adolescent without dental issues = self-confidence at a sensitive age |
| Long-term oral health | Aligned teeth cleaner = fewer cavities and periodontitis later |
Myth: “Let’s wait until all baby teeth fall out”
Many parents believe orthodontics begins only after complete dentition change. Wrong. Many problems can — and must — be treated before losing all baby teeth.
Example: posterior crossbite corrected at age 8 takes 6 months of functional appliance. Left until age 14 when baby teeth are replaced, may require 2 years of fixed braces + possible extractions.
What children’s orthodontics costs — indicative Brașov
| Treatment | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Orthodontic consultation + X-ray | 250-400 RON |
| Functional removable appliance | 1,800-2,500 RON |
| Palatal expander | 2,000-3,000 RON |
| Space maintainer | 600-900 RON |
| Fixed metal braces (per arch) | 2,500 RON |
| Fixed sapphire braces (per arch) | 4,000 RON |
| Invisalign Teen | 11,000-14,000 RON |
| Retention (wire + tray included) | 800-1,200 RON |
Many clinics (including DentalBliss) offer interest-free instalment payment — a child’s orthodontic treatment works out to under 200-400 RON/month.
What to do as a parent
Before the consultation
- Gather old photos of the child (see how dentition evolved)
- Note concrete observations — what worries you, when you saw it
- Ask child to show you how they bite (side photo with mouth open then closed)
During treatment
- Daily check of oral hygiene (children with braces get more cavities)
- Limit sticky and hard foods (gum, whole apples, popcorn, nuts) that damage the appliance
- Schedule monthly check-ups — skipping prolongs duration
- For Invisalign Teen: monitor wear (modern aligners have visible wear indicators)
After treatment (retention phase)
- Fixed lingual retention + night-time tray — essential
- Without retention, teeth move back within 1-2 years
- Check-ups every 6 months for verification
Frequently asked questions from parents
“If I do braces at 8, will they need them at 14 too?” Possibly. But the treatment at 14 will be shorter and less complex. Sometimes Invisalign Lite of 6 months is sufficient vs 2 years of fixed braces without early intervention.
“Is it dangerous to move teeth at a young age?” No. In children, bones are more malleable, movement is gentler, and recovery faster. It’s safer and more effective than adult orthodontics.
“Will the appliance affect their speech/eating?” The first 5-7 days slightly, yes. After that, the child fully adapts and doesn’t notice. For removable appliances, we teach the child to remove/insert on their own.
“Can I do exercises at home to correct their teeth?” There are no exercises that correct teeth. What you can do is eliminate bad habits (thumb sucking, mouth breathing) and bring them to the specialist.
“Will they be teased at school?” Dental braces are very normal in 2026 — over 30% of children aged 12-15 have or have had braces. For sensitive ones, there are aesthetic sapphire braces or Invisalign Teen.
“What’s the biggest mistake I can make?” Postponing the consultation until age 13-14. At that age, many skeletal problems can no longer be corrected non-surgically.
Booking an orthodontic consultation for your child
The first consultation is simple: clinical exam, possibly a panoramic X-ray, discussion with the parent. The child goes through nothing invasive.
We’re waiting for you at DentalBliss Brașov for an orthodontic evaluation of your child. We answer questions without the pressure of immediately starting treatment. If it’s not the case to intervene, we honestly tell you “let’s wait 1-2 years and come back”.