Can I wait on interceptive dentofacial orthopedic treatment until my child is older than 7?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and American Dental Association (ADA) Joint Council on Education recommend evaluation by age 7 or as soon as a problem is suspected. We do not recommend waiting unless advised by an experienced and qualified dentofacial orthopedic and orthodontic specialist. I recommend the following guideline: “When in doubt, check it out.” Early examination and early interception offer many treatment advantages that diminish with age. Avoid the too common occurrence of “too little, too late.” Avoid well-intentioned benign neglect. Expansion of the palate and correction of jaw size, form, and position is accomplished best during growth and development. By age 4 sixty percent of the facial growth is completed. By age 12, ninety percent of the facial growth is completed and growth imbalances are more fully established and difficult to correct. If you wait, for example, until age 20, growth is essentially complete and the opportunity to guide the growth and
