Island Orthodontics explains why growth, development, and timing matter for children in Mobile County.
Maybe you noticed it in a school picture. One front tooth is coming in sideways, or the bottom teeth seem to sit in front of the top ones. Maybe your dentist mentioned it at a cleaning.
Now you are wondering whether your child needs braces now, or whether it is better to wait. It is one of the most common questions we hear from parents in Mobile County.
The honest answer is that timing depends on how your child is growing, not just on a birthday. Some children benefit from a little help early. Most do best when we watch, wait, and start treatment at the right moment.
In this guide, we explain what early orthodontics really means, which signs deserve a closer look, and how our doctors decide when treatment should begin.
What Is the Difference Between an Early Evaluation and Early Treatment?
These two ideas often get mixed up. An early evaluation is a check-up. Early treatment is actual orthodontic care, such as an expander or a few braces, started while some baby teeth are still in place.
An early evaluation does not mean your child is getting braces. When we see young patients, the goal is to inform and observe much more than to start treatment. We look at how the teeth are coming in, how the jaws are growing, and whether any habits are affecting the bite.
Early treatment, often called Phase I or interceptive treatment, is for a smaller group of children. When we recommend it, it usually starts between ages 7 and 10 and lasts about 12 to 15 months. Its job is to correct problems that are easier to fix, or can only be fixed, while a child is young.
Most children who have Phase I treatment will need a second phase later, usually braces or aligners once more permanent teeth are in. We walk you through the whole picture, including whether a second phase is likely, before anything begins.
Why Does the AAO Recommend a Check-Up by Age 7?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child have a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. Around this age, children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and that mix tells an orthodontist a lot.
Much of what matters is still out of sight. The AAO notes that the gums hide about two-thirds of each tooth, so a problem can be forming even when the smile looks fine. A careful exam, and sometimes an X-ray, shows whether the permanent teeth have room and are heading the right way.
In our offices, we like to see children after the 6-year molars come in and the front permanent teeth start to appear. For most kids, that falls between ages 6 and 8.
If something looks off before then, you do not need to wait for a birthday. You also do not need a referral from your dentist. Parents often notice a problem first, and you can call us directly. Our doctors and team are here to help.
What Are the Three Possible Outcomes of an Early Evaluation?
After a first visit, families usually leave with one of three answers.
All clear. Your child's teeth and jaws are developing on track, and no treatment is expected at this stage.
Watch and wait. A problem may be developing, so we check growth at regular visits and plan treatment for the right time.
Act now. A specific problem would be harder to fix later, so we recommend a short phase of early treatment.
The watch-and-wait group is large, and it is a good place to be. Growth monitoring lets us match treatment to your child's development, so it starts when it can do the most good.
Those observation visits are short. They also give your child a chance to get comfortable with our team long before braces are ever on the table.
Which Problems Are Easier to Fix While a Child Is Growing?
A child's jaws are still growing, and some problems are easier to guide during that growth than to correct after it slows. The AAO notes that some overbites, underbites, and crossbites can be harder to correct if treatment waits until all the permanent teeth are in.
Here are signs that are worth mentioning at your child's visit.
| What you might notice | What it can mean |
|---|---|
| The top back teeth bite inside the bottom teeth, or the jaw slides to one side when your child closes | A crossbite, often from a narrow upper jaw that is easier to widen while it is still growing |
| The bottom front teeth sit in front of the top front teeth | An underbite, which can involve how the upper and lower jaws are growing |
| The top front teeth stick out far past the bottom teeth | Prominent front teeth, which are more likely to be chipped or injured |
| The front teeth do not touch when the back teeth bite together | An open bite, sometimes linked to a thumb or finger habit |
| Baby teeth fall out very early or very late | Permanent teeth may not have room, or may be coming in off course |
| A permanent tooth comes in behind a baby tooth, or teeth look very crowded | Not enough space for the teeth that are still on the way |
| Mouth breathing, frequent cheek biting, or trouble chewing | A bite or jaw issue that is worth a closer look |
That same review found no other clear advantage to starting early for this particular problem. We share that because it shows how we think. Early treatment has to earn its place for a specific reason, and protecting a child's front teeth can be one of them.
What About Thumb Sucking?
Habits matter too. The American Dental Association (ADA) explains that thumb or finger sucking after the permanent teeth come in can affect how the mouth grows and how the teeth line up. Most children stop on their own between ages 2 and 4.
If the habit is still going strong when the adult front teeth arrive, we can talk with you about gentle, encouraging ways to help your child break it.
When Is Waiting the Better Choice?
For many common concerns, waiting is the smart plan. Mild crowding, small gaps, and slightly crooked teeth are usually best treated once most of the permanent teeth have come in.
Starting braces early for these issues may simply add time in treatment without a better result. Waiting lets us do the work when the teeth we are moving are the ones your child will keep.
Waiting is not the same as ignoring it, though. Your child's teeth will not straighten out as they grow. The space for the front teeth does not increase with growth, and for most people it shrinks a little after the permanent molars come in.
That is why we pair waiting with growth monitoring. We check in at regular visits, compare how things are changing, and let you know when the timing is right.
What Happens at Your Child's First Orthodontic Visit?
We keep first visits relaxed and kid-friendly. Most take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on what your child needs.
One of our doctors, Dr. Dyken, Dr. Bilbo, or Dr. Talbert, will look at your child's teeth, bite, and jaw growth. If it helps, we may take X-rays and photos to see what is happening below the gums and to track changes over time.
Then we sit down with you and cover what matters most. Is there a problem? What are the options? When should treatment start, if at all? How long would it take, and what would it cost?
Parents are welcome in the room, and our gentle approach helps children feel comfortable and at ease from start to finish. It is mostly looking, counting teeth, and a few pictures.
Our Mobile office on Airport Boulevard serves families across Mobile County. Families farther north can visit our Thomasville office, and Baldwin County families have four offices to choose from.
What If My Child Does Need Early Treatment?
If we find a problem that should not wait, we explain exactly why, what we would use, and how long it should take. Early treatment is usually short and focused on one clear goal.
Depending on the problem, that might mean an appliance to widen a narrow upper jaw, braces on a few front teeth, or help breaking a habit. When Phase I ends, most children have a resting period while the rest of their permanent teeth come in, and we keep monitoring.
When it is time for full treatment, the choices grow with your child. Many kids and teens choose braces, including Ormco titanium brackets, clear ceramic braces, and fun options like Wild Smile and 24K gold-coated brackets.
Older kids and teens may also be good fits for Invisalign or our own Island Smile Aligners. We help you choose based on your child's bite, habits, and routine.
We want cost to be clear from the start. You can review our payment and cost information, and we offer flexible monthly plans plus special programs for families with more than one child in treatment.
Why Mobile County Families Choose Island Orthodontics
Doctors who love working with kids. Dr. Renee Dyken, Dr. Leslie Talbert, and Dr. Erin Bilbo all enjoy caring for children and are committed to making every visit positive, comfortable, and encouraging. Dr. Dyken, an orthodontist and mother of four, even wrote The Tooth Fairy Helper , a two-in-one book designed to make dental care easier and more fun for families. It combines an engaging children's story about the Tooth Fairy with a practical guide that helps parents become their child's own “Tooth Fairy Helper” by building healthy dental habits at home. The book even includes Tooth Fairy Receipts for each baby tooth, along with the average age children typically lose them.
Advanced specialist training. All three of our doctors have completed extensive education and advanced specialty training in orthodontics, including postgraduate residency programs and Master of Science degrees. Their continued professional development reflects a shared commitment to clinical excellence, thoughtful treatment planning, and the highest standards of orthodontic care.
Six offices, one team. Mobile, Thomasville, Robertsdale, Foley, Gulf Shores, and The Wharf in Orange Beach.
Every option under one roof. Braces, Invisalign, and Island Smile Aligners, so the plan fits your child instead of the other way around.
A plan built around growth. We recommend early treatment only when it truly helps, and we keep watch the rest of the time.
A free first visit. Consultations are complimentary, with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. At Island Orthodontics, we like to see children after the 6-year molars come in and the front permanent teeth start to appear, which is usually between ages 6 and 8. You can come sooner if you notice a concern.
Will my child's crooked teeth straighten out on their own?
Usually not. The space available for the front teeth does not grow as a child grows, and for most people it gets a little smaller after the permanent molars come in. Some spacing between baby teeth is normal, so a check-up is the best way to know whether what you see is a problem.
Does an early evaluation mean my child will get braces?
No. Most young children we see do not need treatment right away. An early visit helps us inform you and observe your child. We look at how the teeth and jaws are developing, set up growth monitoring if needed, and recommend treatment only when it will truly help your child.
What is Phase I orthodontic treatment?
Phase I, also called early or interceptive treatment, is a short round of care for problems that are easier to fix while a child is growing. In our practice, it usually starts between ages 7 and 10 and lasts about 12 to 15 months. Many children need a second phase of treatment later.
Do I need a referral from our dentist?
No referral is needed. Parents are often the first to notice that something looks off, and you can schedule directly with any of our six offices. We are glad to work alongside your family dentist, who should keep seeing your child for regular cleanings and check-ups.
How much does a first orthodontic visit cost?
Your child's first consultation at Island Orthodontics is free. We will examine your child's teeth and bite, explain what we see, and answer your questions about timing, options, and cost. If we recommend treatment, we offer flexible payment plans and accept orthodontic insurance benefits.
Sources
American Association of Orthodontists. Orthodontics for Children: Developing a Healthy Smile. https://aaoinfo.org/child-orthodontics/
American Association of Orthodontists. Can You Get Braces with Baby Teeth? A Guide to Early Orthodontics. June 24, 2024. https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/does-my-child-need-to-wait-to-see-an-orthodontist/
Batista KBSL, Thiruvenkatachari B, Harrison JE, O'Brien KD. Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018;(3):CD003452. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003452.pub4
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Thumbsucking. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/thumbsucking
Island Orthodontics. Frequently Asked Questions (practice information on evaluation age, Phase I timing, and first visits). https://www.islandortho.org/faq
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person exam. Every child grows differently. For advice about your child's teeth and bite, schedule an evaluation with a licensed orthodontist.
