Orthodontics for Growing Children: Consultation at Age 7 and Specialist Observation Program

The Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO) recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist at the age of 7 years for the orthodontist to monitor dental development and detect jaw growth problems or teeth eruption and alignment abnormalities. If you have observed any of the mentioned features in your child:

• Bad bites such as a crossbite of front or back teeth, underbite, deepbite, openbite 
• Dental eruption abnormalities such as early or late loss of baby teeth
• Functional problems such as difficulty in chewing food, mouth breathing, jaws that shift or make sounds, speech difficulties, grinding or clenching of the teeth, biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
• Facial imbalance such as over-developed or under-developed upper or lower jaw
• Dental imbalance such as teeth crowding or excessive spacing and dental protrusion

A complimentary consultation with our Point Grey Orthodontics specialists could help determine if your child would need any early or interceptive orthodontic treatment such as jaw expanders, myofunctional appliances, habit-breaking appliances, timely removal of baby teeth or simply, attentive periodic observation. Our specialist observation program may help diagnose and intercept above conditions early, reducing the complexity and duration of future orthodontic treatment.