Dr. Mark B. Huls and the team at Huls Orthodontics, with offices in Monticello and Champaign, IL, are making smiles beautiful and healthy using the latest techniques, advanced technology, and precision. So if your child has gaps, crooked teeth, or misalignments, braces or clear aligners for teens or adolescents may be an option. But what is the best age for braces or clear aligners? Let us provide some insight so you know the right time to intervene for optimal results.
It's Never Too Late
Before we go into depth about children and braces, we want to emphasize that it's never too late for orthodontic treatment. Therefore, if you're an adult struggling with confidence issues from gaps in your teeth — or you have a young adult at home who could use treatment — teeth straightening is still an option and can effectively resolve these issues.
When to Schedule an Evaluation
With advancements in technology, orthodontists can get a rough idea if your child needs braces as early as 7 years old. Specifically, based on X-rays and a visual examination, our orthodontist can detect crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth at this age. During the assessment, our specialist can also see any issues with jaw positioning and catch if habits like prolonged pacifier use or thumb sucking have affected jaw development and tooth positioning.
Certain early interventions, such as wearing a palatal expander or having braces for a short period, can fix problems before they require more extensive treatment.
Best Age for Clear Aligners or Braces for Kids
Especially if your child is getting clear aligners for teens, the ideal age is around 12 or 13. At this age, most or all of a kid's permanent teeth have erupted, making it an ideal time to start shifting the teeth into their proper positions. In many cases, this is also the best age for clear aligners because a child is more likely to adhere to the guidelines at this age.
Their jawbone is more flexible when they're a preteen or in their early teens than when they're older. For this reason, the teeth shift more easily then, and our orthodontist can also predict the movement more accurately. Moreover, receiving treatment early can prevent problems like tooth wear and, in some cases, the need for surgery.
With all this said, the only way to know for certain when the best age for clear aligners or braces is by having an exam with Dr. Mark B. Huls of Huls Orthodontics, serving Monticello, Champaign, and the surrounding Illinois areas. We offer both braces and clear aligners for teens and adolescents, and we can help you find the best solution for your child's preferences and needs, as well as your budget.
Contact us today to schedule your child's first orthodontic evaluation and possibly get the ball rolling on treatment.