Orthodontic treatment, commonly known as getting braces, corrects misaligned teeth and improper bites to improve oral health and function. There is no single “right” age to begin this process. The timing depends entirely on an individual’s unique dental development, skeletal growth, and specific alignment needs. Treatment is successfully employed across a wide age spectrum, from early childhood to later adulthood.
The Recommended Age for Initial Evaluation
The first step in determining the need for braces is an examination. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their initial orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. By this age, the child typically has a mix of permanent and primary teeth, providing the orthodontist enough information to assess developing issues. This early look allows the specialist to evaluate jaw growth patterns and identify potential problems such as severe crowding, crossbites, or disproportionate jaw relationships.
The initial visit is primarily diagnostic and rarely leads to immediate treatment. For most children, the orthodontist will simply monitor the development of the teeth and jaws over time, establishing a baseline for future comparison. This monitoring ensures that if intervention becomes necessary, it can be timed perfectly to maximize the benefits of the child’s natural growth. Delaying the first check-up until all baby teeth are lost could mean missing a window of opportunity where certain issues are easier to correct.
Early Intervention Orthodontics (Phase I)
For a subset of children, the evaluation at age 7 reveals issues that benefit significantly from early intervention, known as Phase I treatment. This interceptive phase typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 10, while the child is still actively growing. The purpose of Phase I is not to straighten every tooth, but to correct major skeletal or functional problems that could become much more complex later. For instance, a palatal expander may be used to widen a narrow upper jaw, creating space for permanent teeth to erupt properly and preventing impaction.
Phase I treatment is also used to correct crossbites that can cause asymmetrical jaw growth or to move severely protruding front teeth inward to reduce the risk of injury. Utilizing the remaining jaw growth potential, the orthodontist can guide the development of the jaw relationship while it is still malleable. This limited phase generally lasts between 9 and 14 months and employs appliances like partial braces, specialized retainers, or functional appliances. Successfully completing Phase I establishes a better foundation, which often simplifies the comprehensive treatment necessary later and may reduce the overall time required for the second phase.
Standard and Adult Treatment Timing
The most common age for comprehensive, full orthodontic treatment is during adolescence, typically between ages 11 and 14. This time frame, often referred to as Phase II, is considered optimal because most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Treating during the teenage years takes advantage of the patient’s active adolescent growth spurt, which can be utilized to efficiently correct jaw discrepancies and guide the teeth into their final positions. Comprehensive treatment focuses on achieving the final alignment of every tooth and perfecting the bite relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
There is no age limit for orthodontics, and adult treatment is increasingly common, with many patients seeking care in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. The fundamental biological process of moving teeth works at any age. However, the mechanics differ because the adult jawbone is fully developed and denser than a teenager’s. This denser bone structure means that tooth movement can be slower and may require more careful planning.
Adult treatment duration often ranges from 12 to 36 months, depending on the complexity of the alignment issues. Adults are more likely to have existing dental conditions, such as gum disease or previous restorative work, which must be managed before or during the orthodontic process. In some cases, adults with severe jaw discrepancies may require coordination with an oral surgeon, as growth modification options are no longer possible. Adult orthodontics successfully achieves functional and aesthetic goals, often utilizing discreet options like clear aligners or ceramic braces.