The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. Most children who are checked at 7 do not need treatment then, but the check is what tells you whether they will, and when. Reznik Orthodontics welcomes children of all ages, including children younger than 7, at both its Odessa and Midland offices, and the first visit is free.
A first check by age 7 is about watching how the teeth and jaws are developing, not about starting braces early. By 7, enough permanent teeth have come in, and enough jaw growth has happened that an orthodontist can see the shape of what is coming: whether there will be room, whether the bite is developing correctly, whether a habit is pushing teeth where they should not go.
What happens at the first visit
The doctor examines your child’s teeth, jaws, and bite, then reviews any necessary records to understand what is happening beneath the surface. After the exam, you will receive one of three recommendations: no treatment is needed, growth should be monitored, or early treatment may be helpful.
Monitoring is the most common recommendation. If your child is not ready for treatment, they may be placed in our Growth Observation Program and seen periodically as permanent teeth continue to come in.
A smaller group of children has a concern that is better addressed while growth is still active. In those cases, the doctor may recommend a first phase of treatment and explain the plan, timing, and fee at the complimentary consultation.
The Growth Observation Program
Children who are not ready for treatment may be monitored through our Growth Observation Program at no fee.
These visits are usually scheduled every 6 to 12 months so the doctors can monitor permanent teeth as they come in and identify concerns while they are easier to manage. Sometimes a poorly erupting permanent tooth can be managed by coordinating with your general dentist, for example, when a baby tooth needs to be removed at the right time.
The goal is to determine the best time to begin treatment, as it can affect how long a child wears braces later.
What early treatment can do while a child is still growing
When early treatment is recommended, it has a specific purpose. It may help:
- Guide permanent teeth into better positions
- Preserve space for permanent teeth that still need to come in
- Widen a narrow upper jaw
- Reduce the risk of injury to front teeth that stick out
- Lower the risk of impacted permanent teeth
- Reduce the chance of permanent tooth extractions later
- Address thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or swallowing habits that affect the bite
Early treatment does not always eliminate the need for braces later. In many cases, it helps make the next phase of treatment shorter, simpler, or more predictable once the permanent teeth are in.
Early treatment does not benefit every child
Many orthodontic concerns are best corrected during the teen years, once more permanent teeth are in place. Treating too early can mean more time in appliances without improving the final result.
That is why the age-7 check matters. It helps the doctor decide whether your child needs early treatment, growth monitoring, or no treatment at this time.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist?
A pediatric dentist and an orthodontist support different parts of your child’s oral health.
A pediatric dentist focuses on children’s dental care, including cleanings, fillings, sealants, and helping young patients feel comfortable at the dentist.
An orthodontist is a dentist who completes additional specialty training in tooth movement, jaw development, and bite correction.
Dr. Megan Reznik, Dr. Derek Reznik, and Dr. Michael Reznik are board-certified orthodontists. Board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics reflects an additional voluntary process an orthodontist undergoes. See board certification.
Early signs of bite or growth problems
Schedule an appointment if you notice any of these concerns:
- Baby teeth lost very early or very late
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb or finger sucking that continues past about age 5
- Teeth that do not meet properly
- A jaw that shifts to one side when your child bites down
- Crowded, blocked-out, or clearly protruding front teeth
- Speech concerns your dentist connects to tooth or jaw position
Your dentist may notice some of these signs first, but a referral is not required to schedule an orthodontic check.
What a first phase involves
When early treatment is recommended, it is usually limited and focused on a specific concern rather than a full set of braces.
Expander: Widens a narrow upper jaw and can help correct a crossbite or create more room for permanent teeth.
Partial braces: Align a few specific teeth when early correction is needed.
Space maintainer: Holds room open when a baby tooth is lost too early.
Habit appliance: Helps address thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or other habits that affect the bite.
The right appliance depends on what the examination shows. A first phase is followed by a monitoring period while the remaining permanent teeth come in.
Parents are welcome in the room, and for a first visit, we recommend having a parent present so the doctor can clearly review the findings, timing, and next steps.
Bring any recent X-rays your dentist has taken, since those can often be used instead of repeating them.
Schedule your child's complimentary appointment
Call the Odessa office at (432) 333-7105 or the Midland office at (432) 682-1222, or request an appointment online.
If your child does not need treatment, we will explain that clearly and may recommend the Growth Observation Program so that the right timing is not missed. If treatment is recommended, you will receive the plan, timeline, and fee at the same visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child still has most of their baby teeth. Is a check pointless?
No, and that is the point of doing it at 7 rather than 12. Enough permanent teeth and jaw growth are present by then to predict what is coming, while there is still growth left to work with.
What is the "rule of 7" people mention?
Shorthand for the age-7 first-check recommendation. It does not mean braces at 7. It means a first evaluation at 7.
Will an early phase mean my child avoids braces as a teenager?
Usually not. Early treatment fixes the structural problem while growth can help, which shortens the braces phase later rather than replacing it.
Are appliances uncomfortable for a young child?
There is an adjustment period of a few days, and children adapt faster than adults expect. Soreness after a fitting is normal and short. Anything sharp, loose or genuinely painful is a reason to call.
How often will we come in during an early phase of treatment?
Usually every 6 to 8 weeks, and appointments take about 20 to 30 minutes.