You’re ready for braces, but the first step isn’t just getting braces placed. The first step is actually with your dentist, not your orthodontist. You’ll typically need dental clearance for braces before treatment begins.
An orthodontic evaluation checks much more than whether teeth are crooked. Orthodontists assess your bite, jaw growth, tooth development, available space, and tongue position to decide whether you need treatment and when to start. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7.
A parent may look at their child’s teeth and think they’re straight, then be surprised when an orthodontist recommends treatment. Here’s what we look for when your child comes in for an evaluation at Smith & Davis Orthodontics. Adults get evaluated the same way.
What Is an Orthodontic Evaluation?
An orthodontic evaluation, also called a consultation exam, is the first visit where an orthodontist examines your teeth and jaws, reviews X-rays and digital images, and tells you whether you need treatment. It’s a chance to learn what’s going on in your child’s mouth, even if treatment isn’t needed yet. Your first consultation with us is free.
treat a tooth.
What Do Orthodontists Look For?
Crooked or crowded teeth are an obvious reason for braces, but they’re not the only one. Here’s what we check during an evaluation.
Bite and jaw alignment. Do the upper and lower teeth fit together properly? Your teeth are designed to meet in a certain way, both to chew food and to prevent them from wearing each other down. When they don’t, it can lead to excessive wear, chips, and cracks. Read more about why bite alignment matters as much as straight teeth.
Jaw development. Is your child’s jaw wide enough for all of their future adult teeth? If not, the permanent teeth may come in crowded or crooked once the baby teeth fall out.
Developing teeth. X-rays and digital imaging show what’s hard to see otherwise, such as teeth developing inside the jaw. We can check whether all the teeth are developing properly, whether the roots are where they should be, whether baby tooth roots are dissolving so permanent teeth can erupt, and whether any teeth are missing or will come in incorrectly.
Space and crowding. Is there enough room for all the teeth, and are they crowded?
Tongue position and airway. At rest, the tongue should sit against the roof of the mouth, which helps guide upper jaw growth and keeps the mouth closed so air moves through the nose. The tongue also touches the teeth to make sounds like s, th, ch, and l, so tongue position can contribute to a lisp or other speech differences. A tongue that rests low, or mouth breathing, can dry out the mouth and sometimes cause snoring. If we notice signs of an airway problem, we’ll recommend you talk with your pediatrician or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Severity and timing. How serious are the issues, and can they wait?
What Happens During an Orthodontic Consultation Exam?
At your consultation exam, we:
- Examine your child’s teeth, bite, and jaws
- Take X-rays and digital images
- Talk with you about what we found and what it means
- Recommend whether to start treatment now, wait, or not treat
- Explain your options and give you a cost estimate if treatment makes sense, including financing options
The exam shouldn’t hurt. We’re looking at the teeth and jaws and taking images, and neither is painful.
How Orthodontists Make Treatment Decisions
We weigh all of these factors to make one of three recommendations:
- Your child needs to start treatment right away.
- Your child can wait for the best age but will need treatment then.
- Your child doesn’t need treatment.
Braces often work best after most of the permanent teeth have erupted, typically around ages 11 to 13, so if your child only needs braces, we usually wait. For more, see our post on the best age to get braces.
In some cases, early treatment at around ages 8 to 9 can reduce dental issues or keep them from getting worse. A palate expander, for example, can widen a narrow jaw so permanent teeth have room to erupt. Some children do best with two-phase treatment, where we guide jaw development early and place braces a couple of years later to correct tooth position. Early treatment may mean you need braces for less time or not at all, but in most cases, you still need braces later. Learn why waiting for braces can be worth it.
Why Bite and Jaw Alignment Matter
A well-aligned bite helps you chew food efficiently. Misaligned teeth and jaws can make chewing harder and wear teeth down over time. Certain bites can also affect facial appearance. For example, protruding upper teeth can make the chin look smaller, while lower teeth that sit in front of the upper teeth can make it look larger. Correcting the bite can improve the balance between the teeth and face.
Wondering about the signs? Our post, Do I Need Braces?, walks through them.
FAQs About Orthodontic Evaluations
Will an orthodontic evaluation hurt? No. We only look at the teeth and jaws and take images of both, which shouldn’t cause pain.
How much does an orthodontic evaluation cost? Your first consultation with Smith & Davis Orthodontics is free. If you choose treatment with us, we’ll create a comprehensive plan and provide a cost estimate. We can also discuss financing options.
What if I want braces as an adult? Do I still need an evaluation? Yes. Every orthodontic patient needs an evaluation first so we can create the best treatment plan. We evaluate adults the same way we evaluate children and go over the best options for your needs.
How long does an orthodontic evaluation take? Plan on about 30 to 60 minutes for your initial consultation.
Braces Treatment in Rogers, AR
Do you or your child need an orthodontic evaluation? Smith & Davis Orthodontics in Rogers, AR, serves Rogers, Bentonville, Lowell, and other areas of Benton County and Northwest Arkansas.
Schedule a free consultation to see whether you need braces or clear aligners. Let us show you how we can improve your oral health.
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