Teeth can be moved at any age. Best results are achieved in children since the alveolar bones (bones around the teeth) can be molded easily as the child is growing. In adults, the results are much slowly achieved since the bone growth has already taken place. Therefore, it is recommended that orthodontic treatment is started as soon as the problem is noticed by the child, parent or dentist.

Orthodontic appliances can be used to help a child overcome the infantile habits of thumb sucking, finger sucking, tongue thrusting or over extended use of a pacifier. Sucking habits are usually not a major concern unless they are continued even after 6-7 years of age when the permanent incisors and molars start to erupt. Such habits can create an open bite wherein the upper and lower front teeth do not meet leading to mal-occlusion.

An important question asked by most patients is whether teeth would need to be removed or not for braces? This answer is best decided after a clinical examination by the orthodontist. He will guide you whether extractions are necessary and if so, how many? Minor crowding can usually be relieved without any dental extractions using fixed or removable appliances. Sometimes palatal expanders are also used to expand the jaws at an early age. When there is severe over-crowding, small alveolar ridges or no spaces between the teeth, extractions become necessary.