When Is the Right Time to Get Braces in Greensboro, NC?
At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, Dr. Robert Stoner and Dr. Brennan Alford help patients from Greensboro, NC and surrounding communities understand when treatment may be most helpful. Both doctors are board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. They review each patient’s teeth, bite, growth, and oral health before recommending braces.
Is There One Age When Everyone Should Get Braces?
No. Orthodontists look at each patient’s growth and dental development instead of using one age for everyone.
Some children benefit from early guidance. Many patients begin full treatment during the preteen or teen years, while adults can start after jaw growth is complete. Timing also depends on how many permanent teeth have come in, whether baby teeth are blocking them, and how the upper and lower teeth meet.
Healthy teeth and gums matter before care begins. Cavities, gum swelling, or poor brushing habits may need attention first.
Does an Age 7 Evaluation Mean Braces Start Right Away?
No. An orthodontic evaluation around age 7 does not mean a child will get braces right away. At this stage, a mix of baby and permanent teeth helps the orthodontist see how the teeth, bite, and jaws are developing.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7. This visit may find crossbites, severe crowding, front teeth that stick out, or permanent teeth that do not have enough room to come in.
Most children are watched rather than treated at this visit. Follow-up appointments help track changes and identify the best time to begin care.
When Can Early Orthodontic Treatment Help?
Early treatment can help when a bite, jaw, or eruption problem may become harder to correct after growth. The goal is often to guide development, not to straighten every tooth.
Care may help with a crossbite that shifts the jaw, a strong underbite, severe crowding, a harmful oral habit, or a permanent tooth that is not coming in properly. Early care may also make room for incoming teeth or protect front teeth that stick out.
Some children finish an early phase and then pause while more permanent teeth come in. Others are monitored until full braces are appropriate.
Why Are the Preteen and Teen Years Common for Braces?
Many patients begin braces between ages 9 and 14 because most permanent teeth are present and jaw growth may still help with bite correction. The exact timing depends on the patient and the problem being treated.
This stage often allows the orthodontist to align the teeth and improve how the bite fits. Having most permanent teeth in place also helps with full treatment planning.
Patients must also be ready for daily care. Braces require careful brushing, regular visits, safe food choices, and proper use of elastics or other prescribed appliances.
Can Adults Get Braces?
Yes. Adults can get braces at nearly any age when their teeth, gums, and supporting bone are healthy enough for tooth movement.
Adults may seek care because their teeth have shifted, crowding makes cleaning hard, their bite feels uneven, or older alignment concerns were never corrected. Crowns, bridges, implants, missing teeth, or gum problems can change the plan without ruling out braces.
Some adults need care from a general dentist, periodontist, or restorative dentist before or during treatment. This helps protect oral health and support a stable bite.
What Signs Mean You Should See an Orthodontist?
Consider an evaluation when teeth overlap, permanent teeth seem blocked, the bite does not close evenly, or the jaw shifts during biting.
Other signs include front teeth that stick out, wide spaces, trouble chewing, frequent cheek biting, or teeth coming in at unusual angles. Teeth that keep shifting over time may also need a professional review.
You do not need to know whether braces are necessary before scheduling a visit. The evaluation can show whether care should begin now, whether growth should be watched, or whether another dental problem needs attention first.
How Do Orthodontists Choose the Right Time for Braces?
Orthodontists use a clinical exam and may also use photos, digital scans, and X-rays. These records show tooth position, bite relationships, available space, jaw growth, and the supporting bone.
A child may need more time for permanent teeth to come in. A teen may be ready for full treatment, while an adult may need dental or gum care before starting.
The final recommendation is based on the safest and most predictable time to begin.
If you are considering braces for yourself or your child in Greensboro, NC, schedule a consultation with Robert Stoner Orthodontics. Dr. Stoner and Dr. Alford can explain whether care should begin now, later, or after another oral health concern is addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
These common questions explain what may affect the timing of orthodontic care.
Can braces start before all baby teeth are gone?
Yes. Braces can begin while some baby teeth remain when early care would improve spacing, eruption, or bite development.
Do cavities need to be treated before braces?
Usually, yes. Treating active decay first helps protect the teeth and makes brushing easier during orthodontic care.
Can gum disease delay braces?
Yes. Active gum disease can delay tooth movement until the gums and supporting tissues are healthy.
Are braces only used for severe crowding?
No. Braces can also correct gaps, rotated teeth, protruding teeth, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and other bite problems.
Can an adult be too old for braces?
No. Adults can get braces when their teeth, gums, and supporting bone are healthy enough for treatment.