The majority of children who need orthodontics will usually commence their treatment between the ages of 11 and 13 years. However, the exact timing is determined by individual development. In some cases, a first phase of orthodontics is started as early as 8 years old, so that facial development and growth can be harnessed to optimise the balance of the face. This is particularly useful in situations where there is a mismatch between the relative size or shape of the jaws.
Where crowding is severe, early intervention can be used to shape the arches and avoid the need for the extraction of sound adult teeth.
It is possible to use fixed, removable and Invisalign systems for the movement of teeth in children.
