If you’re asking, “What is the best age to get braces for kids?”, the short answer is that there’s no one-size-fits-all age. However, knowing when and how to start orthodontic treatment can help maximize effectiveness, reduce treatment time, and yield more stable results. Brunswick Orthodontics offers insight into how age, growth, and individual dental development play a role, and why early evaluation is key.
Why Age Matters in Orthodontics
Teeth and jawbones change significantly during childhood and adolescence. That’s why timing is a critical factor:
- Growth potential — As children’s jaws grow, orthodontists can guide that growth to correct bite issues (like overbite, underbite, crossbite) more easily than trying to move fully mature bone.
- Tooth development — Some malocclusions appear when baby teeth are still present, allowing earlier intervention to prevent worsening.
- Simplifying later treatment — Early evaluation and limited intervention can reduce the severity (or complexity) of treatments needed later.
- Patient compliance — Younger patients may struggle less with removable appliances, but teens and adults are often more motivated to adhere to treatment protocols (brushing, wearing elastics, retainers).
- Bone density and remodeling — In adults, bones are denser and less pliable, so tooth movement tends to be slower and sometimes more challenging.
Brunswick Orthodontics makes this point: we offer early treatment to “set a strong foundation” before full braces or aligners.
Early Evaluation: Why Age 7 Is Important
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7. Brunswick Orthodontics echoes this advice. Evaluating at age 7 allows orthodontists to “identify potential issues with jaw growth and tooth alignment while there is still a mix of baby and permanent teeth.”
Why age 7?
- At this age, children have a combination of baby (primary) and permanent teeth, and jaw growth is still active.
- An orthodontist can detect early warning signs (crowding, crossbite, asymmetry, TMJ issues) before they become more severe.
- If early intervention is needed (so-called Phase I treatment), it may reduce or simplify the later full treatment.
Note: Early treatment doesn’t always mean full braces right away. It may involve limited appliances, space maintainers, or partial guidance of growth.
Best Age for Braces: Kids (Preteens), Teens, and Adults
Below is a breakdown of advantages, challenges, and typical age ranges for orthodontic treatment across life stages:
Children / Preteens (Approx. 9–13 years)
- Advantages: Most of the permanent teeth (except wisdom teeth) have erupted; jaw growth is active; bone remodeling is favorable for movement.
- Common timing: Many start full braces or clear aligners around ages 11–13, depending on dental development.
- Braces: Brunswick Orthodontics offers both modern braces and clear aligner options suited for preteens/teens.
- Challenges: Younger patients need good oral hygiene and discipline with appointments.
Teens (Approx. 13–18 years)
- Advantages: Facial and jaw growth slows by mid-to-late adolescence, which can improve predictability.
- Motivation: Teens often want better-looking smiles and may adhere well to orthodontic requirements.
- Options: Braces, ceramic brackets, or clear aligners are all viable. Brunswick Orthodontics offers these orthodontic solutions for teens.
- Challenges: Longer cases are possible if growth issues or severe malocclusion were not caught earlier.
Adults (18+ years)
- Advantages: No growth constraints; patient motivation is often high.
- Considerations: Tooth movement is slower, and some bite corrections might require supplementary treatments such as extractions or surgery.
- Modern options: Clear aligners or less visible braces are popular among adults. Brunswick Orthodontics offers adult treatment solutions, including clear aligners and braces.
- Challenges: Bone density is greater, so treatment may take longer. Also, adults may have more dental history (fillings, bone loss, gum disease) to consider.
So What’s the Best Age for Braces?
Given all of the above:
- The best time to evaluate is around age 7, as recommended by the AAO and echoed by Brunswick Orthodontics.
- The best age to actually begin full braces or aligner therapy is often during the preteen to early teenage years (roughly ages 11–14), when most permanent teeth are in place and growth can still help with corrections.
- That said, adults can absolutely get braces or aligners. The timeline and complexity may differ, but the results can be excellent with modern orthodontic methods.
So, while there is no strict “cutoff,” many orthodontists view early evaluation plus treatment during pre-teens/teens as the sweet spot for achieving healthy, lasting results.
How Brunswick Orthodontics Approaches Treatment
When you visit Brunswick Orthodontics, here’s how we typically approach treatment planning:
- Early assessment (around age 7) to detect problems early.
- If necessary, Phase-1 (early) treatment to guide growth, manage space, or correct developing issues.
- Once the child has most of their permanent teeth, move to full braces or clear aligner therapy.
- For teens and adults, we offer a full suite of options for braces or clear aligners in Brunswick.
- Use modern technology (3D imaging, digital scanning) to precision-plan treatment.
- Monitor growth, compliance, and progress regularly, adjusting treatment as needed.
Their philosophy emphasizes “comprehensive treatment” across children, teens, and adults.
Tips for Parents and Patients Considering Braces
- Don’t wait until you see a big problem. Schedule an evaluation early (around age 7) so your orthodontist can diagnose issues early.
- Ask if an early (Phase I) treatment is needed. Not all kids will need it, but for some, it prevents more complex work later.
- Choose an orthodontist who offers both braces and clear aligners, and who stays current with technology (digital scanning, 3D imaging).
- Discuss comfort, visibility, and lifestyle preferences. Many teens prefer less visible choices, so clear aligners or ceramic braces may appeal.
- Understand that patient cooperation (wearing elastics, cleaning, attending visits) is critical, especially for kids and teens.
- If you’re an adult, don’t assume it’s too late. Modern orthodontics can still achieve impressive results.
Get Your Child Checked for Braces at Brunswick Orthodontics
At Brunswick Orthodontics, we guide patients across all age groups, from early intervention to teen and adult treatment, with modern methods like braces and clear aligners in Brunswick. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time for your child or yourself to start, contact us for a consultation. A personalized evaluation will help determine the best timing and approach for your smile journey.