Give your child the best opportunity for a healthy, confident smile.
Prevent Bigger Problems Later with an Early Orthodontic Evaluation
Did you know that certain orthodontic issues—if left untreated—can impact the growth and development of your child’s teeth, gums, jaws, and even their facial structure? In some cases, early intervention can prevent the need for jaw surgery later in life!
That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this stage, enough adult teeth have come in for Dr. Kirk to assess your child’s bite and detect hidden concerns—things that aren’t always visible to parents or even monitored by general dentists.
Even if no treatment is needed right away, an early consultation provides peace of mind and allows us to monitor your child’s development at no charge through our Kirk Orthodontics Kids Club.
Wondering if your child could benefit from early treatment?
How to know if your child needs early orthodontic care?
Not all orthodontic issues are obvious, and every child’s needs are unique. The only way to determine if early treatment is necessary is through a professional evaluation and diagnostic records. However, some signs you might notice at home include:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting food
Mouth breathing
Thumb or finger sucking habits
Crowded, blocked, or misplaced teeth
Teeth that don’t meet properly when biting
Jaws and teeth that seem disproportionate to the face
If you’ve noticed any of these signs—or even if you haven’t but want reassurance—an early orthodontic evaluation is the best way to ensure your child’s smile develops properly.
Why Consider Early Orthodontic Treatment?
When early treatment is recommended, it can provide major long-term benefits, including:
Preventing severe crowding and blocked-out teeth
Guiding permanent teeth into better positions
Reducing the likelihood of needing extractions
Ensuring balanced jaw and facial growth
Lowering the risk of trauma to protruding teeth
Correcting bite issues that could lead to jaw surgery if untreated
Stopping harmful habits like prolonged thumb-sucking
Improving self-esteem and confidence during childhood
Not every child will need early orthodontic treatment, but every child benefits from early monitoring. If no immediate treatment is necessary, we’ll continue tracking their growth at no charge so we can begin treatment at the right time—if and when it’s needed.
An early orthodontic consultation is simple, informative, and gives you peace of mind.
Modern, Comfortable Solutions for Early Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment has come a long way! At Kirk Orthodontics, we are one of the only orthodontic offices in our area using advanced 3D-printed palatal expanders and other appliances, making early treatment more precise, comfortable, and effective than ever before. These custom-fit, low-profile appliances are specifically designed for each child's teeth and bite, ensuring a better fit, improved results, and an easier experience compared to traditional methods.
However, timing is everything when it comes to early treatment. Certain orthodontic appliances work best before the upper jaw fuses to the surrounding bones, which happens around puberty. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends an evaluation by age 7—early detection allows us to intervene at the ideal time to prevent bigger issues down the road.
Not ready for orthodontics?
The Kirk Ortho Kids Club for Ages 7 and up
Give your child the best chance for a healthy, confident smile.
Not every child needs orthodontic treatment when they see us for their first orthodontic screening, but every child benefits from expert monitoring. That’s why we created the Kirk Ortho Kids Club—a complimentary growth and development monitoring program for kids who aren’t quite ready to begin treatment yet.
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if no obvious issues are present. At this age, we can detect hidden concerns with jaw growth, bite alignment, and tooth development—many of which aren’t visible to parents or even monitored by general dentists.
Regular check-ins at no cost to track your child’s smile as they grow
Early detection of concerns like crowding, bite issues, or missing teeth before they become more complex
Guidance on the best time to start treatment—ensuring it’s as effective and efficient as possible
Peace of mind for parents (and their general dentist), knowing their child’s orthodontic health is in expert hands
Book a consultation today and let’s make sure their smile is on the right track!
