Children's teeth: when to have them assessed

A first look at around seven

By about seven the first adult incisors and molars are through, and the way they are coming in tells an experienced eye a great deal about what is to come: whether there will be room, whether the jaws are growing in proportion, and whether a bite problem is developing. Most children assessed at this age need nothing done; the point is to find the few who benefit from early intervention and to reassure everyone else. Your general dentist at Omnia Dental Spa watches for this at routine check-ups, and will say when a closer look is worthwhile.

Problems worth catching early

• A crossbite, where upper teeth bite inside the lower, particularly on one side. It can shift the jaw as it closes and affect how it grows, and it is far easier to correct while the upper jaw is still soft enough to widen.
• Prominent front teeth with a lower jaw that sits back. These teeth are more likely to be damaged in a fall, and a functional appliance worn while a child is growing can guide the jaw forward in a way that is not possible later.
• Habits such as thumb sucking past about four, which push the teeth and can open the bite. Stopping the habit early often lets the bite correct itself.
• Severe crowding, where planning the loss of baby teeth can create room for the adult teeth to come in better.
• Teeth that are not appearing when they should, which can mean an adult tooth is stuck or missing.

These are the cases where early treatment, sometimes with a specialist orthodontist, makes a real difference, and Louise will refer you if that is the right route. Most other problems are best treated once the adult teeth are through.

A mix of baby and adult teeth

Between about six and twelve, children have both. Invisalign makes aligners designed for this stage, with room for teeth still coming through, and they are used for the early problems above in some practices. Whether that is right for your child depends on the problem, and Louise will tell you at the consultation what she recommends and whether it is something she treats here or something better done by a specialist.

Invisalign Teen, once the adult teeth are through

From around twelve or thirteen, when most adult teeth are in, Invisalign Teen treats the same range of problems as adult Invisalign: crowding, spacing, overjet, deep bites, crossbites. It is designed for growing smiles, with space left in the aligners for teeth still erupting and small wear indicators that fade with use, so parents and Louise can see whether the aligners are being worn. Teenagers are often more motivated than their parents expect, partly because aligners are far less visible than braces and partly because they see their own result on screen before they start. The Invisalign Teen page covers the practical side. It is £4,900, all-inclusive, and can be spread interest-free over the course of treatment.

Fixed braces or Invisalign for a teenager?

Both work. Aligners need a teenager who will wear them twenty to twenty-two hours a day; the wear indicators help, and Dental Monitoring lets Louise see from a phone scan whether they are seating properly. Fixed braces cannot be forgotten but come with food restrictions and harder cleaning. For a few complex bite problems fixed braces or a specialist remain the better route, and Louise will say so.

What about the NHS?

NHS orthodontic treatment is available for children under eighteen whose teeth meet a clinical-need threshold, and it is almost always fixed braces, with waiting lists that vary by area. If your child qualifies, we will tell you; many families choose private treatment for the choice of aligners, the timing and the continuity of seeing one clinician throughout.

Questions people ask

What age should a child first see an orthodontist?

A first assessment at around seven is useful, when the first adult teeth are through. Most children need nothing done at that age; a few benefit from early treatment.

What age can a child start Invisalign?

Invisalign Teen is usually from around twelve or thirteen, once most adult teeth are through. Younger children with a mix of teeth are assessed individually.

Will my teenager actually wear the aligners?

Most do. The wear indicators show whether they are, Dental Monitoring confirms the fit, and seeing their own result on screen is a strong motivator.

Can my child have braces on the NHS?

If their teeth meet the NHS clinical-need threshold, yes, usually fixed braces. We will tell you honestly whether they are likely to qualify.

Is the consultation the same for children?

Yes. The same £25 booking fee reserves the appointment and is credited to treatment if your child goes ahead.