February 2, 2026
At MKY Orthodontics, we believe in meeting families where they are, not rushing them into decisions. That’s why we always tell parents that early orthodontic evaluations are important, but early treatment and palate expanders aren’t always necessary.
That’s because every child’s smile grows at its own pace. Some kids benefit from early intervention, while others are best served by monitoring and waiting until more permanent teeth come in. The key is knowing what to look for — and when to check in.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children see an orthodontist by age seven. That’s because, by this age, most kids have a mix of baby and adult teeth — giving us a clear picture of how their jaw and bite are developing.
This doesn’t necessarily mean we need to start braces in second grade. Rather, it simply means we can catch things early. We like to give parents peace of mind, whether we recommend treatment or just keep an eye on growth over time.
While not every child needs early orthodontics, here are some signs that may indicate intervention could help:
Crowded or overlapping teeth
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Crossbites, underbites, or overbites
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use
Difficulty chewing or biting
Speech challenges related to jaw position
Teeth that protrude or appear at odd angles
Even if your child isn’t experiencing discomfort, these subtle issues can affect how their teeth come in later. Treating them early can make future treatment faster, easier, and more effective.
That’s great! One of the best outcomes of an early check-up is peace of mind. We’ll let you know if everything’s progressing well! And if it is, we’ll simply add your child to our observation program to monitor growth periodically - depending on what we see, that could be once or twice a year. Easy peasy.
Here at MKY Orthodontics, Dr. Benjamin Yucha and Dr. Richard Kaye believe in doing what’s right for each individual child; not what’s convenient or cookie-cutter. If your child doesn’t need early treatment, we’ll tell you. And if they do, we’ll guide you through every step with care and clarity.
Your child’s first orthodontic visit is always complimentary (as are observation visits if needed), and there's no pressure, just expert guidance and answers to your questions.
Plus, we make Invisalign and orthodontic treatment affordable - with payments never more than $225/month.
✨ Click below to schedule your child's smile check with MKY Orthodontics today. We’re here to help you make confident, informed decisions that fit your family’s rhythm.
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