Treatment Timing

Orthodontic correction:  when to start?

Orthodontics is a change for the better and can be successful at any age. Although we place special emphasis on interceptive and corrective procedures for children, about 40% of our practice is made up of adults. Treatment is so simple, convenient, and affordable that individuals from childhood through retirement can reap its important benefits. We have patients from as young as 3 years old to as young at heart as 86, with all ages in between.

A first examination by age 7 is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists, as the front permanent teeth are erupting, unless your dentist has found an area of concern earlier (for example, a crossbite).   This does not mean that treatment needs to be started this early but at this time we can give you an idea about how your child's mouth is developing and what the long-term treatment sequence may be.  Early treatment (Phase 1) is usually between the ages of 6 to 11 and is done to correct specific early problems that are best treated before eruption or growth is completed.   Full treatment (with braces on all of the permanent teeth) is usually between ages 11 to 15.  There is no age limit to having braces.  With people living longer and keeping their natural teeth, more adults are seeking the esthetic and functional benefits that braces can provide. 

The timing of treatment is very important in obtaining an ideal result. The overriding goal of treatment in our office is to reduce the length of time that you or your child will have your braces on. We pride ourselves on having the shortest treatment times possible and you will find that we are able to complete your orthodontic correction much faster than what is common in other practices, both for Phase 1-Phase 2 treatment and One Phase treatment.   A critical part of achieving this goal is proper timing in placing your braces. Our Pre-Orthodontics Guidance Program allows us to time your treatment so that you will have your braces on the shortest amount of time possible to achieve a beautiful result.

The Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program includes all of the examinations, the necessary radiographs to assess growth and development and skeletal jaw balance, and any indicated prescriptions regarding possible removal of baby or permanent teeth. The fee for this program is included in your future active treatment fee - there is no additional charge for this service. Proper planning can yield shorter treatment times, better results, and greater post-treatment stability.  We want our patients to have a truly beautiful, healthy smile that will last for a lifetime and we want to achieve this correction in a reasonable amount of time.

We take pride in completing your treatment on time and in having the shortest overall treatment times compared to what is common in other orthodontic practices. In fact, many of our patients find that their braces can be removed earlier than expected. The key is treatment timing, which Dr. Cordray takes very seriously. He will treat you or your child like he would his wife or daughters: with ultimate respect for your time.