Braces

The orthodontic treatment period requires appliances (braces) for 18-30 months for full, active treatment but sometimes as little as 6-12 months for minor or limited treatment. All children should be examined by age 7 because some problems require early intervention and careful growth and eruption monitoring. A few problems require two phases of treatment: an early phase to correct a severe growth problem and a later phase to straighten the teeth. Children seen earlier are often able to be treated without extraction of teeth since the orthodontist can start treatment at the perfect time.