Early Treatment

Medically reviewed by Dr. David Dung, DDS, MS, Board-Certified Orthodontist.

Early Orthodontic Treatment in Honolulu & ʻAiea, HI

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic check-up by around age 7. At that age, enough adult teeth have come in for our board-certified orthodontists to spot problems early, when they are easiest to guide and often least expensive to correct. At Dung Orthodontics, a child’s first exam is always complimentary.

Most children will not need braces at age 7. But an early evaluation lets Dr. Dung, Dr. Tom, or Dr. Todoki catch the small number of issues that are far simpler to treat now than later. Think of it as a baseline: in most cases we simply monitor your child’s growth, free of charge, until the time is right.

When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?

Around age 7. By then, your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, and the first molars and incisors have usually come in. That gives us our first clear look at how the bite and jaw are developing. An early visit does not mean early braces; it means we can plan the best possible timing for your child, whether that is now, in a couple of years, or once all the permanent teeth arrive.

Signs Your Child May Need Early Treatment

Some signs are easy to spot at home. Schedule an evaluation if you notice any of these:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing or snoring
• Thumb or finger sucking past age 5
• Crowded, blocked-out, or misplaced front teeth around age 7 or 8
• Teeth that meet abnormally, or do not meet at all
• A jaw that shifts, clicks, or looks out of proportion to the face
• Speech difficulties

What Is Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?

Early treatment is also called Phase 1 (or interceptive) orthodontics. It usually takes place between ages 6 and 10, while a child still has many baby teeth. Rather than straightening every tooth, Phase 1 addresses a specific structural problem, such as a crossbite, severe crowding, a narrow jaw, or a harmful oral habit, before it becomes harder to fix. Treatment might involve a palatal expander, a partial set of braces, a space maintainer, or a habit appliance, depending on what your child needs.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Guiding growth at the right age can make a real difference:

• Guides jaw and arch development while the bones are still growing.
• Creates room for crowded or erupting permanent teeth, sometimes avoiding extractions later.
• Corrects harmful habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
• Reduces the risk of a protruding front tooth being chipped or broken.
• Can shorten or simplify later treatment, and in some cases prevents the need for it.

Phase 1 vs. Phase 2: What’s the Difference?

After Phase 1, most children enter a resting period while their remaining permanent teeth come in. We monitor this stage at no charge. Phase 2 is comprehensive treatment with full braces or Invisalign®, usually in the early teen years, to align every tooth and perfect the bite. Because Phase 1 already corrected the underlying structural issue, Phase 2 is often shorter and more straightforward.

Will My Child Still Need Braces After Phase 1?

Often, yes, but a shorter, simpler course. Phase 1 fixes the foundation; Phase 2 fine-tunes the smile once all the adult teeth are in. Some children, however, need no further treatment at all. Either way, starting early gives your child the best odds of an easier path to a healthy, confident smile.