Orthodontics for the youngest
In children, the skeletal system and bite are still developing, which is why an orthodontist can detect abnormalities early enough and plan further steps. In some cases, early intervention can make subsequent orthodontic treatment easier, and sometimes even limit its scope.
At what age should a child have their first orthodontic consultation?
As parents, we often wonder when is the right time to take our child to an orthodontist. Is it worth waiting until all their permanent teeth have come in, or should we make an appointment earlier? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic consultation no later than age 7 – even if there are no visible problems. Early examinations help prevent future complications, shorten treatment time, and ensure the proper development of the bite and face.
Orthodontics price list for children
Consultation with examination and oral scan
PLN 300
Consultation with examination, scan, and X-ray
PLN 400
Why should a 7-year-old child see an orthodontist?
By the age of 7, most children have so-called mixed dentition, meaning some teeth are still baby teeth and some are already permanent teeth, which allows the orthodontist to detect early signs of tooth misalignment, bite problems, and jaw growth disorders.
An early consultation helps to detect:
• Problems with tooth crowding or spacing – Are the teeth too close together or too far apart?
• Improper jaw alignment – Is the upper or lower jaw growing unevenly?
• Bite problems – Overbite, underbite, crossbite, scissors bite, or open bite.
• Thumb or lip sucking habit, or incorrect tongue function – This can affect jaw and facial development.
• Early or late loss of baby teeth – This can lead to alignment problems.
Not all children need braces at age 7, but early detection of abnormalities and potential malocclusions allows orthodontists to monitor the child's growth and, if necessary, develop a treatment plan. However, there are situations that should prompt a consultation with an orthodontist earlier, i.e., before the age of 7.
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your child, it is a sign that it is worth scheduling a visit to an orthodontist:
✔ Lack of gaps or excessive spacing between baby teeth
✔ Difficulty chewing or biting food, avoiding hard, chewy foods
✔ Breathing through the mouth during the day or night, performing activities with an open mouth
✔ Snoring, teeth grinding at night, restless sleep
✔ Frequent thumb sucking, especially after the age of 5
✔ Speech problems related to tooth alignment, speech defects
First visit without stress
The first orthodontic visit aims to gather a medical history regarding the child's early development (pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, health status, illnesses, habits, posture defects) and to examine the child. The orthodontist, in order:
Checks the child's posture, teeth, bite, jaw alignment, and tongue function. If necessary, they take X-rays (panoramic, cephalometric, CBCT), digital scans, and photographs.
Determines whether treatment is needed now or if it is better to monitor the child. If necessary, they discuss potential treatment options and refer the child for additional consultations (ENT specialist, physiotherapist, speech therapist/neurologopedist).
If everything looks correct, the doctor may suggest monitoring the child's growth through periodic follow-up examinations. If early treatment is necessary, the doctor may recommend Phase 1 orthodontics to ensure proper development.
Types of orthodontic treatment for children
Phase 1 treatment vs Phase 2 treatment
For some children, two-stage orthodontic treatment may be indicated to correct malocclusions as they grow.
Phase 1 (Early Intervention) – ages 5–10
• Focuses on guiding jaw growth and correcting bite problems in primary or mixed dentition.
• Most common treatment methods: palatal expanders, space maintainers, habit-breaking appliances, or partial fixed orthodontic braces.
Phase 2 (Full orthodontic treatment) – ages 11–16
• Treatment is carried out when most or all permanent teeth are already present
• At this point, parents and children choose to get full fixed braces or clear aligners to fully straighten the teeth and correct the bite.
Not all children require Phase 1 treatment, but early consultations help determine the best course of action and, if necessary, refer to other specialists, such as:
• ENT specialist (Otolaryngologist)
• Speech therapist, neurospeech therapist
• Physiotherapist, osteopath.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should a child have their first orthodontic consultation?
As parents, we often wonder when the right moment is to take our child to an orthodontist. Is it worth waiting until all their permanent teeth have come in, or should we schedule an appointment sooner? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic consultation by the age of 7 at the latest – even if there are no visible problems. Early examinations help prevent future complications, shorten treatment time, and ensure the proper development of the bite and face.
Are there situations that require a visit to the orthodontist earlier?
Yes! There are situations that should prompt a consultation with an orthodontist earlier, i.e., before the age of 7. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your child, it is a sign that it's worth scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist: lack of gaps or excessive spaces between baby teeth; difficulty chewing or biting food, avoiding hard, chewy foods; breathing through the mouth during the day or at night, performing activities with an open mouth; snoring, grinding teeth at night, restless sleep; frequent thumb sucking, especially after the age of 5; speaking problems related to tooth alignment, speech defects.
Does orthodontic treatment always involve wearing braces?
Not all children need braces at age 7, but early detection of abnormalities and potential malocclusions allows orthodontists to monitor the child's further growth and, if necessary, develop a treatment plan at the right moment.
What does the first visit to the orthodontist look like?
The first orthodontic visit aims to gather a medical history regarding the child's early development (pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, health status, illnesses, habits, postural defects) and to examine the child. The orthodontist sequentially: observes the child's posture and breathing style, checks the bite and tongue function; if necessary, takes X-rays (panoramic, cephalometric, CBCT), digital scans, and photographs; determines whether treatment is needed now or if it is better to monitor the child; if necessary, discusses potential treatment options and refers for additional consultations (ENT specialist, physiotherapist, speech therapist/neuro-speech therapist). If everything looks correct, the doctor may suggest monitoring the child's growth through periodic follow-up examinations. If early treatment is necessary, a diagnostic appointment will be scheduled.
How to prepare for a child's orthodontic consultation?
Dear Parents, before your first visit to the orthodontist, we kindly ask you to consider a few questions regarding your Child: do they breathe through their nose or mostly through their mouth? Do they snore or grind their teeth? How was the pregnancy and birth? What was their infancy like (feeding method, introducing solid foods, pacifier use)? What food consistency dominates the child's diet – do they require biting and chewing? Has the child had any past injuries or falls that could have affected their development, particularly injuries to the facial area? Have they been diagnosed with postural defects, and is the child physically active? This information is extremely important to us to identify the cause of the problem and to properly monitor your Child's further development.
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