The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment for Growing Smiles
Early orthodontic treatment is about timing, not rushing. Seeing a specialist around age seven does not mean braces at seven. It means catching problems while a child’s jaw is still growing, when they are far easier and cheaper to guide, and sometimes heading off bigger treatment later.
Most parents do not think about orthodontics until their child is a teenager with a full set of adult teeth. By then some of the best opportunities have already passed. A children orthodontist can spot a developing problem years earlier, while the jaw is still growing and small nudges do the work that braces would otherwise have to do later.
Why an early check matters
Children’s jaws are still forming, roughly into the early teens, and that growth is a gift because we can guide it. A crossbite, a narrow arch or a jaw developing unevenly is far simpler to address at nine than at fifteen. We suggest a first orthodontic check around age seven. That is early enough to catch the things that benefit from early action, and late enough to see how the adult teeth are coming through.
Catching problems while they are small
An early assessment picks up crowding, gaps, bite problems and jaw-growth issues before they settle in. Not every child needs treatment straight away. For many the honest advice is to watch and wait, which is worth hearing in itself.
What early treatment can involve
It depends entirely on the child, and often the right answer is to do nothing yet. When treatment does help, these are the usual routes.
Growth guidance and functional appliances
When a jaw is developing unevenly, an appliance worn during growth can steer it, which is something you simply cannot do once growth has finished. This is the clearest case for acting early rather than waiting.
Invisalign First and children’s braces
For crowding or alignment, options include Invisalign First, our clear-aligner treatment designed for younger children, and fixed braces where they suit the case better. Which one fits depends on the teeth and the child, not on a preference for one system.
Holding space
If a baby tooth is lost early, keeping the gap open preserves room for the adult tooth underneath, which can save more involved work down the line.
The benefits, in plain terms
- Simpler treatment later. Guiding growth early can reduce how much work is needed once all the adult teeth are through, and occasionally avoids it altogether.
- Room for the adult teeth. Creating space while the jaw is growing lowers the chance of serious crowding later.
- Better function. Correcting a bite early helps with biting, chewing and sometimes speech, during the years it matters most.
- Confidence at the right age. A child who is happy with their smile through school tends to carry that with them. It is a real benefit, even if it is hard to put on a chart.
What to expect at Boston Orthodontics
Your child’s first visit is with Dr Elif Keser, a specialist orthodontist who has treated children, teenagers and adults since 1998 and is a visiting professor at Boston University. Choosing a specialist children orthodontist means your child is seen by someone who does this every day and knows a nervous seven-year-old needs a different appointment from an adult. We examine the teeth, bite and jaw growth, explain what we see in plain language, and tell you honestly whether anything needs doing now or whether we should simply keep an eye on things.
If treatment can wait, we will say so. We would rather monitor a child for a couple of years than start before it is the right time.
Book a consultation
If your child is around seven, or you have noticed crowding, a bite that looks off, or teeth coming through in odd positions, an early check is worth it. Our orthodontic consultation is free until 30 August 2026, normally £275, and includes a digital scan, clinical photos and a written report. You will leave knowing whether anything needs doing, and if it does not, that is good news you can act on.
We are at 2 Grosvenor Gardens, Fourth Floor, in Belgravia, central London. Call 0203 858 0068 or book through bostonorthodontics.co.uk. Interest-free payment plans over up to 12 months are available, and retainers are included with treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
Around age seven. That is early enough to catch problems that benefit from early action, and late enough to see how the adult teeth are arriving. It does not mean treatment will start then.
Does an early check mean my child needs braces now?
Often not. Many children are simply monitored for a while. The point of an early visit is to know where you stand, not to start treatment for the sake of it.
What is Invisalign First?
It is a version of Invisalign designed for younger children whose adult teeth are still coming through. Whether it suits your child depends on their teeth, which we assess at the consultation.
How long does children’s treatment take?
It varies. Early growth-guidance phases are often shorter, and some children have a later phase once all the adult teeth are in. We give you a realistic picture at the assessment.
Is early treatment more expensive overall?
Not usually. Guiding growth early can reduce more complex work later. We explain the likely path and costs clearly, and interest-free finance over up to 12 months is available.
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