The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your child’s orthodontic condition. Occasionally, treatment is initiated at this time and is referred to as Phase I treatment. A majority of the time, treatment will not be initiated at this young age, but the patient will be placed on a recall program to monitor growth of the teeth and jaws, which will help determine the correct time to initiate comprehensive orthodontic treatment.