Orthodontics is for every age. In theory, we prefer to start as early as possible. However, treatment is generally shorter and less expensive once all the adult teeth have come in.
We sometimes intervene before age 10 when there is a significant lack of space, a functional shift of the lower jaw, or problems with swallowing, speech or breathing. At a young age, it is important to make sure the child breathes well through the nose and has no bad habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, etc.) beyond age 3 or 4. How intense and frequent these habits are affects how severe the dental problem becomes.
Orthodontics is for every age
In many cases, we intervene between ages 11 and 14 to guide facial growth and avoid major orthognathic surgery in adulthood. These treatments require the patient’s full cooperation. The keys to successful orthodontic care are motivation, impeccable oral hygiene and cooperation. In adults, our “treatment tools” are more limited. With today’s braces, the brackets are low-friction and the alignment wires much more flexible, which makes treatment more comfortable and faster. Technology in this field has evolved a lot in the past 10 years: far fewer premolars are extracted, and in some cases surgery can even be avoided by using bone anchors, mini-screws placed quickly under light local anesthesia.
A complete treatment usually lasts 18 to 24 months (sometimes less), and payments are spread over that period. For tax reasons, some people prefer to pay everything over 12 months. We will be happy to give you an overview of the treatment needed and its costs at a simple preliminary consultation.
