Early orthodontic treatment

Name: Embrace Orthodontists
Telephone: 1300 336 774

Give your child the best start to a healthy, confident smile with an early orthodontic evaluation. Beginning assessments at a young age allows us to guide jaw development, identify concerns early, and in many cases address orthodontic issues before they progress.

When should my child see an orthodontist?

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up at around seven years old.

At this stage, most children have a combination of baby and adult teeth, making it easier for Dr Pazios to spot emerging concerns such as crowding, spacing, protrusion, missing or extra teeth, and early jaw discrepancies.

Our team is trained to recognise subtle issues in jaw growth and tooth development. These are problems that are often far simpler to correct when detected early. Waiting until all baby teeth have fallen out, or until facial growth is complete, can make treatment longer, more complex, or more invasive.

It’s important to note that early orthodontic treatment is not always needed. In many cases, we simply monitor your child’s growth with periodic appointments and begin treatment at the ideal time.

How can my child benefit from early orthodontic care?

Early orthodontic treatment offers benefits that extend well beyond straighter teeth. It can improve oral hygiene by reducing areas where plaque tends to accumulate, promote more even tooth wear, and reduce the risk of injury to protruding front teeth.

Guiding jaw growth at a young age can also help prevent more significant skeletal concerns in the future.

Treatment can even help with speech, chewing, and breathing habits, and correct poor oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. So you can see, orthodontics is more than just improving your child’s facial aesthetic!

How can my child benefit from early orthodontic care?

Signs your child may need
orthodontic treatment

Some orthodontic issues are easy for parents to spot, while others are far more subtle. Even if your child’s teeth appear straight, there may be underlying concerns that only a Specialist Orthodontist can diagnose.

However, common signs to look out for at home include:

Early or delayed loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting into foods
Persistent mouth breathing
Thumb sucking beyond age five
Tongue thrusting or other oral habits

Invisalign® First
for growing smiles

For children aged 6–10, Invisalign® First offers a gentle, flexible alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances. These clear, removable aligners are designed specifically for growing mouths, and don’t need any metal brackets or wires to work!

Invisalign® First aligners can be taken out to allow children to brush, floss, and eat as usual, making treatment more comfortable and convenient.