The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment: Why Starting Sooner Can Mean Simpler Care Later

“Shouldn’t we wait until all the permanent teeth come in?”

It’s a question Dr. McClaran hears almost weekly from parents whose seven or eight year old has just been told they could benefit from orthodontic treatment. The question makes complete sense. Most of us grew up thinking of braces as a teenage thing. Starting treatment in elementary school feels premature, maybe even unnecessary. And lurking beneath the question is often an unspoken concern: is this really about my child’s needs, or is the practice trying to generate revenue by treating kids who could just as easily wait?

These concerns deserve honest answers. The truth is that early orthodontic treatment isn’t right for every child. Many kids evaluated at age seven are simply monitored until their teeth and jaws develop further. But for certain conditions, the benefits of early braces or other interventions are substantial and well documented. The key is understanding which situations benefit from early treatment and why timing matters.

At McClaran Orthodontics, we never recommend treatment a child doesn’t need. When we suggest early intervention, we explain exactly why, showing parents what we’re seeing and what would happen with and without treatment. The decision always rests with the family, informed by clear information rather than pressure.

What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment, often called Phase 1 treatment or interceptive treatment, refers to orthodontic intervention that begins while a child still has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This typically occurs between ages six and ten, before most permanent teeth have erupted.

The goals of early treatment differ from comprehensive treatment done in adolescence. Early treatment doesn’t aim to perfect the smile. Instead, it addresses specific developmental issues that are best corrected during the growth years. This might mean widening a narrow jaw, correcting a crossbite, creating space for crowded permanent teeth, or guiding jaw growth in a more favorable direction.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This recommendation isn’t about starting treatment early for everyone. It’s about identifying which children would benefit from early intervention and which are better served by waiting. Age seven provides enough information to assess development while leaving time to act if action is needed.

After Phase 1 treatment, there’s typically a resting period while remaining baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth continue erupting. Many children then have a Phase 2 of treatment, usually braces or aligners, to refine alignment once the adult dentition is mostly complete. Some children need minimal Phase 2 work; others require more comprehensive treatment. But even when two phases are needed, Phase 1 typically makes Phase 2 shorter and simpler.

Why Timing Matters in Orthodontics

The case for early treatment rests on biology. Children’s bones behave differently than adult bones. Growth plates remain open. Sutures between bones haven’t fused. The skeletal system is responsive to guidance in ways it won’t be once maturity arrives.

Consider the upper jaw. In children, the palate consists of two bones joined at the midline by the midpalatal suture. This suture remains open and responsive until somewhere between ages fourteen and eighteen. While it’s open, a palate expander can gradually separate the two halves, creating genuine skeletal widening. New bone fills in the gap, making the expansion permanent.

Wait until the suture fuses, and the same expansion requires surgery. What could have been accomplished with a simple appliance and daily turns now requires an operating room, general anesthesia, and a surgeon cutting bone. Same goal, dramatically different path to get there.

Research published in the European Journal of Orthodontics has documented superior outcomes when palatal expansion occurs before suture fusion. Younger patients achieve more skeletal change with less dental tipping and better long-term stability. The biological window matters.

Similar principles apply to jaw growth guidance. Functional appliances can influence how the lower jaw grows, encouraging forward development rather than backward rotation. These appliances work by harnessing natural growth, something only possible while growth is actively occurring. Once growth stops in the mid-to-late teens, the opportunity is gone. Significant jaw repositioning then requires surgery.

Early treatment takes advantage of biology. It works with growth rather than fighting against established skeletal patterns. For the right conditions, this produces better results with simpler treatment.

Problems That Benefit from Early Treatment

Not every orthodontic issue requires early attention. Mild crowding, minor spacing, and simple alignment concerns can often wait until adolescence without consequence. But certain conditions are genuinely easier to correct during childhood, and waiting makes treatment more complicated.

Narrow palate and posterior crossbite top the list. A narrow upper jaw that causes crossbite should be expanded while the midpalatal suture remains open. Left untreated, crossbite causes the jaw to shift to one side when biting, creating asymmetric forces that can produce asymmetric facial growth over time. A study in the Angle Orthodontist documented progressive mandibular asymmetry in children with untreated posterior crossbites. Early expansion prevents this.

Severe crowding sometimes benefits from early space creation. When there’s clearly not enough room for permanent teeth to erupt properly, early expansion or other space-gaining measures can allow teeth to come in rather than becoming impacted. This can avoid extraction of permanent teeth later.

Protruding front teeth face increased injury risk. Upper front teeth that stick out significantly are more likely to be damaged during falls, sports, and playground accidents. Early treatment to reduce protrusion can prevent trauma that would otherwise require restorative dentistry or, worse, tooth loss.

Underbite and significant jaw discrepancies respond better to growth modification during childhood. When the lower jaw is growing too far forward or the upper jaw is deficient, functional appliances and other interventions can guide growth toward better balance. Once growth stops, the same correction may require orthognathic surgery.

Harmful oral habits like thumb sucking that persist past age four or five can reshape the developing palate and bite. Early intervention can help break the habit and, if needed, correct the dental effects before they become more established.

Airway-related concerns increasingly factor into early treatment decisions. Children with narrow palates often breathe through their mouths and may snore or experience disrupted sleep. Expansion improves not just dental alignment but nasal airway space. Research in Sleep Medicine Reviews has documented breathing and sleep improvements following palatal expansion in children.

Phase 1 Treatment Benefits: What Early Intervention Can Prevent

Understanding the benefits of early orthodontic treatment sometimes requires thinking about what doesn’t happen because treatment occurred.

Tooth extraction may be avoided. When early expansion creates space for crowded teeth, permanent teeth that would otherwise have needed extraction can be preserved. Most parents prefer keeping their child’s natural teeth when possible.

Jaw surgery may be avoided. Growth modification during childhood can sometimes correct jaw relationships that would require surgical correction if left until adulthood. The comparison isn’t trivial. Childhood treatment might involve an appliance worn for several months. Adult surgery involves hospitalization, general anesthesia, weeks of recovery, and significantly higher cost.

Impacted teeth may be prevented. When teeth can’t erupt because there’s no room, they become impacted in the bone. Impacted teeth may require surgical exposure and orthodontic traction to bring them into position, or extraction if positioning isn’t possible. Creating space early can allow teeth to erupt naturally.

Asymmetric growth may be prevented. Crossbites cause the jaw to function asymmetrically during crucial growth years. The body adapts to this asymmetry by growing asymmetrically. Early crossbite correction allows symmetric growth to proceed normally.

Social and emotional impact may be reduced. Children notice their smiles. Severely crooked teeth, significant overbites, or pronounced underbites can affect confidence during important developmental years. While this shouldn’t be the sole reason for early treatment, improving smile aesthetics during elementary school can positively impact a child’s self-image.

Treatment may be shorter overall. When Phase 1 addresses foundational issues, Phase 2 often proceeds faster because the orthodontist isn’t fighting against structural problems. The total time in active treatment across both phases is sometimes shorter than a single comprehensive phase would have been without early intervention.

Comparing Early Treatment vs. Waiting

This comparison doesn’t suggest early treatment is always better. For many children, waiting makes perfect sense. The value of early evaluation is determining which category your child falls into.

Is It Better to Just Wait?

For some children, absolutely yes. If your child’s jaw development is proceeding normally and the main concerns are tooth alignment that will be straightforward to address once permanent teeth arrive, waiting is entirely reasonable. There’s no benefit to starting treatment before it’s needed.

The American Association of Orthodontists doesn’t recommend treatment for all children evaluated at age seven. The recommendation is evaluation at age seven so that orthodontists can identify which children benefit from early intervention and which should be monitored until the appropriate time.

At McClaran Orthodontics, we frequently tell parents their child doesn’t need treatment yet. We schedule periodic monitoring appointments to track development and step in when, and only when, the timing is right. Our goal isn’t maximizing treatment; it’s optimizing outcomes. Sometimes that means acting early. Sometimes it means waiting.

The mistake to avoid is assuming that waiting is always fine because many kids can wait. The conditions that benefit from early treatment don’t improve with time. A crossbite doesn’t self-correct. A narrow palate doesn’t widen on its own. Growth modification only works during growth. Missing the window for simpler treatment doesn’t avoid treatment; it makes treatment more complicated when it eventually happens.

How to Know If Your Child Needs Early Treatment

You can’t determine this yourself, and that’s okay. Orthodontic assessment requires clinical training, diagnostic imaging, and experience recognizing patterns of development. What you can do is ensure your child receives the evaluation that allows an informed recommendation.

Signs that warrant evaluation sooner rather than later include visible crowding even in baby teeth, teeth that don’t meet properly when biting, an upper or lower jaw that appears to protrude or recede, chronic mouth breathing, snoring, difficulty chewing, speech difficulties, and prolonged thumb sucking past age four.

The first orthodontist visit provides the information needed to make good decisions. At McClaran Orthodontics, we take digital scans and photographs, perform a thorough clinical examination, and discuss what we observe. If early treatment would benefit your child, we explain specifically why and what it would involve. If watching and waiting makes more sense, we explain that too and schedule monitoring appointments.

Parents sometimes worry that orthodontists have financial incentive to recommend treatment whether it’s needed or not. It’s a fair concern. The best protection is choosing a provider who takes time to educate you, shows you what they’re seeing, and welcomes questions. If an orthodontist can’t clearly explain why early treatment is recommended for your specific child, that’s a reason for caution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Orthodontic Treatment

What is Phase 1 orthodontic treatment?

Phase 1 treatment, also called early or interceptive treatment, addresses specific orthodontic issues while a child still has mixed dentition (both baby and permanent teeth). It typically occurs between ages six and ten and focuses on jaw development, crossbite correction, severe crowding, or other issues best addressed during growth. Phase 1 is followed by monitoring and often a Phase 2 of treatment to refine alignment once permanent teeth have erupted.

Does my child definitely need Phase 2 after Phase 1?

Most children who have Phase 1 treatment do benefit from Phase 2 to optimize final tooth alignment. However, the extent of Phase 2 varies. Some children need comprehensive braces; others need only minor refinement or simply retainers. We can’t predict exactly what your child will need until seeing how their teeth develop after Phase 1, but we’ll keep you informed throughout.

Is two-phase treatment more expensive than waiting for one phase?

Total fees for two-phase treatment are often higher than a single phase, but the comparison isn’t straightforward. Early treatment sometimes prevents the need for extractions, surgery, or more complex orthodontics that would have been required without intervention. The question isn’t just cost but value. For children who genuinely benefit from early treatment, the additional investment typically produces better outcomes and may actually reduce total treatment complexity.

What if we decide not to do early treatment even though it’s recommended?

The decision is always yours. If you choose to wait, we’ll explain what to expect and continue monitoring your child’s development. In some cases, waiting means accepting limitations on what treatment can accomplish later. In other cases, similar results may still be achievable with more complex treatment. We provide honest information so you can make an informed choice.

At what age is it too late for early treatment?

The window for most early intervention closes around age ten to twelve as jaw growth slows and the midpalatal suture begins fusing. However, every child develops at their own pace. Some children retain growth potential longer than others. Evaluation determines what’s still possible for your specific child.

Making the Right Decision for Your Child

Early orthodontic treatment benefits specific conditions in specific children. It’s not a universal recommendation, but for those who need it, the advantages are real: simpler treatment, better outcomes, and problems prevented rather than corrected after the fact.

The path to knowing whether your child would benefit starts with evaluation. At McClaran Orthodontics, we provide thorough assessment, clear explanation, and honest recommendations. Dr. McClaran takes time to show you what he sees and answer your questions. If early treatment makes sense, you’ll understand why. If waiting is appropriate, we’ll tell you that directly.

We serve families throughout Nolensville, Franklin, Brentwood, and the greater Nashville area. Your complimentary consultation includes everything needed to understand your child’s orthodontic situation and make a confident decision about timing.

Your child’s smile is worth getting right. Schedule your consultation and find out whether early treatment could make their orthodontic path simpler and their results better.