Children and adults alike can benefit from orthodontics. Children as early as age 7 can be evaluated to help determine possible future orthodontic needs. By this time the permanent first molars and incisors should be in and crowding or crossbite problems become evident. If treatment is necessary at this early age it is considered “early” or Phase I treatment. This early treatment can help guide the jaws during growth and gain space, possibly preventing permanent teeth from being extracted. Comprehensive or Phase II treatment for the majority of individuals begins when most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted and thus can be straightened. Ideally this is around 10-12 years of age, taking advantage of potential growth spurts and speeding up treatment time. This being said, teenagers and adults can also have very successful orthodontic treatment with some limitations. Adult treatment is becoming increasingly more common and at least 20% of orthodontic patients are adults.