{"id":774,"date":"2019-09-27T11:05:02","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T15:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=774"},"modified":"2026-04-19T22:52:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T02:52:21","slug":"first-orthodontist-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/first-orthodontist-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should You Expect from Your Child\u2019s First Orthodontist Appointment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everything in your child\u2019s life has a long-lasting impact that can change who they grow up to be. The same is true for their dental health! In addition to regular dental visits, parents should consider the importance of an orthodontic exam for their child during their formative years<\/a>. The benefits of your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment could last a lifetime!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried about what their first orthodontist appointment will be like, don\u2019t be! Read on to learn how straight-forward a first-time orthodontic exam is, and how it will help improve your child\u2019s dental health for years to come.<\/p>\n

When to Plan for Your First Orthodontist Appointment<\/h2>\n

The American Association of Orthodontics encourages parents to schedule an orthodontist appointment for their child around age seven.<\/a> For most children, this gives them time to develop most of their permanent teeth. If they still have their primary teeth, it\u2019s still recommended to have them see the orthodontist.<\/p>\n

Orthodontists can catch most issues that impact a child\u2019s dental development at this age, which gives them a chance to prevent major issues. The earlier you begin orthodontic treatment, the better the long-term outcome can be \u2013 and in many cases, it also makes the problems easier to solve. So even if you haven\u2019t identified any visible issues, it\u2019s still recommended to schedule the appointment!<\/p>\n

Your Child\u2019s Dentist Will Often Recommend an Orthodontic Visit<\/h3>\n

Because your child\u2019s dentist will have an opportunity to watch their development in their earlier years, they\u2019re most likely to catch problems early. If they notice a problem that\u2019s treatable with braces, they will recommend you visit an orthodontist.<\/p>\n

If this is the case, don\u2019t wait! When your dentist catches these problems, they\u2019re often already beginning to have a noticeable effect on your child\u2019s oral health, making it imperative to start treatment.<\/p>\n

However, even if your child\u2019s dentist doesn\u2019t tell you to see an orthodontist, it\u2019s often still beneficial. Orthodontists have additional education and training for specific types of dental problems, and their trained eye may catch something your dentist missed. Ideally, your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment will be the only one they need \u2013 but if treatment is required, your child can avoid years of development issues!<\/p>\n

What Happens at the First Pediatric Orthodontist Appointment?<\/h2>\n

At your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment, they\u2019ll undergo some common diagnostic examinations<\/a>. If you came on your own, the orthodontist will look for general risk signs. If your dentist recommended the visit, they will likely have some additional information to verify specific concerns from your dentist.<\/p>\n

Here is what you can typically expect:<\/p>\n

Orthodontic Exam<\/h3>\n

Your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment will involve a physical orthodontic exam. This gives the orthodontist a chance to visually see your child\u2019s dental development. An orthodontic exam, from the perspective of your child, shouldn\u2019t be too different than a typical dental exam. The primary difference is what the orthodontist is looking for: tooth alignment<\/a>, jaw development and other signs that treatment may be necessary.<\/p>\n

X-rays<\/h3>\n

X-rays are a core part of dental examinations, as they allow the dentist or orthodontist to see things that are hidden from the naked eye. Like the orthodontic exam, it may seem similar to the x-rays taken at your dentist, but the goal is different.<\/p>\n

While dental x-rays typically look for cavities, orthodontic x-rays are focused on the physical development of the jaw and mouth area. Your orthodontist will use these x-rays to check for issues related to bite, tooth position, jaw development and more.<\/p>\n

Treatment Recommendations<\/h3>\n

If the orthodontist identifies a current alignment or jaw issue, or a problem that could lead into problems with future development, they will likely recommend treatment options for your child. These options can range dramatically.<\/p>\n

For some parents, a change in their children\u2019s habits<\/a> may be all that\u2019s necessary. If your child is sucking their thumb, you may simply be asked to keep an eye on it and return to your orthodontist for a check-up after a few months to a year. In other cases, they may suggest your child start two-phase orthodontic treatment<\/a>, or come back for another exam to see if potential issues have been avoided or worsened.<\/p>\n

Is Orthodontic Treatment a Necessity After the First Appointment?<\/h2>\n

Your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment won\u2019t always result in recommendations for treatment. If their dental development is normal or close to normal, treatment won\u2019t be necessary. Outside of extreme health concerns, the choice for treatment is left to the parent to decide \u2013 with the understanding that delaying treatment may make the issue harder to treat in the future.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, you should take your orthodontist\u2019s recommendations seriously. If they identify an issue at your child\u2019s first orthodontist appointment, they can begin treatment that will ensure your child avoids lifelong complications related to misaligned teeth.<\/p>\n

\"Information<\/a><\/p>\n

Schedule a Free Consultation<\/h2>\n

Do you have questions about how to best take care of your braces? We can answer your questions to keep your teeth and gums healthy \u2013 schedule a free consultation!\u00a0Contact us online<\/a>\u00a0or call\u00a0440-842-8015<\/a><\/p>\n

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Everything in your child\u2019s life has a long-lasting impact that can change who they grow up to be. The same is true for their dental health! In addition to regular dental visits, parents should consider the importance of an orthodontic exam for their child during their formative years. The benefits of your child\u2019s first orthodontist…