Why is early treatment important?

The Australian Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children have an early consultation with an orthodontist between the ages of seven and 11, and at Class 1 Orthodontics we agree. The sooner you bring your child in to the orthodontic clinic for a consultation with our specialist orthodontists the sooner we can take a proactive approach to treatment. 

Part of our proactive philosophy to children’s orthodontic care is using Invisalign First to prepare teeth for future treatment. Invisalign First aligners are Invisalign’s very own version of these virtually invisible aligners designed just for children. They’re suitable for our younger patients to wear from the age of six onwards. 

What is Invisalign First?

You may think your child doesn’t need braces until they’re a teenager, but the reality could be very different. That’s what we can determine at your child’s early consultation. By bringing them into our clinic around the age of seven, we can identify if they are susceptible to any orthodontic problems and if any are showing signs of developing. 

This age is recommended because most children have their adult teeth by now but their jaws are still malleable, which enables us to get great results from treatment. Invisalign First aligners are a great pre-treatment to help prepare your child’s teeth and jaws for any subsequent orthodontic treatment, while also reducing the extent of treatment they may require during their teenage years. 

Customised to your child’s mouth, Invisalign First aligners are comfortable to wear ensuring a positive orthodontic experience. 

Orthodontic issues in children

Some of the orthodontic issues we see in children which our team can address and fix here at Class 1 Orthodontics include: 

• crowding, erupting teeth
• bite issues
• spacing or gaps between teeth
• protruding front teeth that increase risk of trauma and injury
• misalignment between teeth and jaws 

Our team know the signs to look out for and will work with you to ensure your child receives the orthodontic treatment they need at the best time for them. 

Book your child for their early consultation

At Class 1 Orthodontics, we want your child to want to come and see us, so we make appointments fun and enjoyable. Book your child in for an early consultation with our team and we’ll make sure you both feel right at home, while providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision on the future of your child’s orthodontic treatment needs.

Growth modification

Growth modification refers to the use of appliances (e.g. plates) to either encourage or discourage the growth of the jaws in order to improve their relationship and thus improve the bite as well as the child’s facial appearance. Timing is important in growth modification, as the effects are larger when the child is actively growing. Mild to moderate jaw discrepancies can prevent the ideal placement of teeth, resulting in a poor bite and complications later in life. 

Book your child in for a free appointment at the Class 1 Orthodontics today to find out if they could benefit from early orthodontic treatment.