Orthodontics For Children
Early Orthodontic Assessments
Because every child deserves the best start to a healthy smile.
At Apex Orthodontics, Dr Gwengo genuinely cares about the wellbeing of every child and their family. That’s why he follows the recommendation of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, which advises that all children should have an orthodontic assessment by age 7. While that may sound early, the goal isn’t to put your child in braces—it’s about giving them the best opportunity for healthy development and avoiding complex issues later in life.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Around age 7, children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, and their jaws are still growing. At this stage, Dr Gwengo can detect early signs of potential problems and determine the best time to begin treatment—if treatment is needed at all.
In fact, in most cases, no early treatment is necessary, and we simply place your child into our Growth Guidance Recall Program. In this program, we monitor your child’s jaw growth and tooth eruption every 6 to 12 months—at no additional cost—to ensure we begin treatment at exactly the right time.
But in the small percentage of children who do need early care (around 5–10%), interceptive treatment can prevent much more serious issues later—sometimes even avoiding the need for surgery or extractions in the future.
What Dr Gwengo Looks for at Age 7
Crossbites
Severe Crowding
Impacted Teeth
Sucking Habits
Teeth Protrud
Speech Issues
Children Teased
Recommends Early Treatment
In many cases, early treatment may be as simple as monitoring or guiding the eruption of permanent teeth—or using small appliances, not full braces. Dr Gwengo only recommends early treatment when it’s truly in your child’s best interest.
The Purpose of Interceptive Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment is not about perfect alignment—it’s about supporting proper development and creating a strong foundation for the adult teeth and jaws.
Goals of interceptive treatment may include
What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Need Early Treatment?
Great news—most children don’t! In this case, Dr Gwengo will continue to monitor your child’s development through our Growth Guidance Recall Program, making sure treatment begins only when it’s truly needed. This approach ensures:
Dr Gwengo’s goal is simple: start treatment at the right time—not too early, not too late—to achieve the best outcome with the least time, cost, and disruption for your child.
When Is the Best Age for Braces?
Permanent Teeth
Peak Growth Phase
Supporting Families Every Step of the Way
We understand that raising a family comes with many decisions—and many expenses. That’s why Dr Gwengo is committed to making orthodontic care as clear, thoughtful, and affordable as possible. He takes the time to explain every option, ensures that treatment is never rushed or unnecessary, and partners with parents to make the best decisions for their child’s health and happiness.
Ready for your child’s first orthodontic check-up?
Book a consultation with Dr Gwengo at Apex Orthodontics. Even if no treatment is needed, you’ll gain peace of mind—and if something is starting to develop, we’ll be ready to guide it in the right direction.
