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 Children
While orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, there is usually a best age to begin treatment in order to achieve maximum improvement with the minimum amount of time and expense. This is why Dr. Willes recommends that a child's first visit to an orthodontist take place by age eight–or earlier if a problem is apparent.
Although treatment may not actually be started until years later, early examination allows Dr. Willes to detect and evaluate problems and plan an appropriate course of action. Without this early examination, malocclusions that are sometimes hidden behind seemingly acceptable smiles may go undiagnosed.
In some cases, early treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. This early intervention will generally make comprehensive treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In other situations, the best treatment is to wait until all of the permanent teeth erupt and use braces to correct all of the problems.
No two patients are the same and no two treatment plans are identical. Individual planning for each patient will yield the best results, but treatment while the jaws and teeth are still growing and developing almost always results in treatment that is easier, faster, and less costly.
Adults
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. Often they are more motivated patients–having sometimes waited for years to finally improve something about their smile that has been bothering them.
If you're one of those people wondering whether orthodontic treatment is right at your age, know that one of every five orthodontic patients is over twenty-one. And here at Willes Orthodontics, we've had wonderful adult patients in their 70's and 80's. It's never too late to improve yourself. So the "best age" for an adult to get orthodontic treatment is whenever they are ready. And we're always happy to answer any questions you may have as you try to determine if the time is right for you.
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