- Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower
teeth, or are bucked
- Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth
when biting together (deep bite)
- Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front
teeth (underbite)
- The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting
together (open bite)
- Crowded or overlapped teeth The center of the upper
and lower teeth do not line up
- Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after
six or seven years old
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
- The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting
together
- Spaces between the teeth
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems
are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed.
Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious
complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every
child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected
by parents, the family dentist or the child's physician.
Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e.
expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is
sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of
crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment
is also called comprehensive treatment, because it involves full braces when
all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven
and thirteen.
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful
and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty five percent of orthodontic patients today
are adults.
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What are some signs that braces may be needed? 
