What is the best age for my child to be assessed for orthodontics?

In the UK, the best age to have your child assessed for orthodontics is typically around 7-8 years old. At this age, the orthodontist can evaluate the alignment of your child's teeth and bite, even though they may still have some baby teeth. Early assessment allows for the early detection of any potential issues and enables the orthodontist to monitor growth and development. In some cases, children may require early intervention if there are problems with their bite or jaw development, but many children will have their first full orthodontic assessment around the ages of 10-12 when most of their permanent teeth have come through.

Age 7–8: This is a good time for an initial assessment, especially if there are noticeable issues like: Early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, crowded, misplaced, or protruding teeth, jaws that shift, make sounds, or seem off-balance, mouth breathing or thumb-sucking habits

Age10–12: This is when most children are referred for treatment assessment because they usually have enough adult teeth for a full evaluation.

What Happens During the Assessment

1.Referral:

Most children are referred by their general dentist under the NHS orthodontic referral pathway, some parents also seek private assessments directly with a specialist orthodontic practice.

2.Initial Consultation:

 A specialist orthodontist will examine: How the teeth bite together(occlusion), tooth alignment and crowding, jaw position and facial balance.

They may take:

Photos of the teeth and face, X-rays (e.g., panoramic or cephalometric), dental impressions or a digital scan.

3. Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN):

This is the NHS scoring system to determine if a child qualifies for free orthodontic treatment.

It assesses both dental health and aesthetics, only scores of 3.6 and above (or 4and 5) qualify under the NHS in most areas.

NHS vs Private Assessment

NHS: 

Free if eligible, but waiting times can be long, only children meeting IOTN criteria are accepted.

 Private:

 No IOTN restrictions.

 Often quicker access to treatment.

 More appliance options, including aesthetic choices like ceramic braces or Invisalign.

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