Early treatment

Name: Bayside Orthodontics
Telephone: 03 9696 6999

At Bayside Orthodontists, we believe healthy smiles start early. Early orthodontic assessment, usually between ages 8 and 12, can identify and guide jaw and tooth development before more complex treatment is needed later.

How do I know if my child needs an orthodontic consultation?

Your child may benefit from an early assessment if you notice any of the following:

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Thumb or finger sucking
Crowded or misaligned teeth
Protruding or uneven teeth
Difficulty biting, chewing, or speaking
Facial imbalance or asymmetry

How do I know if my child needs an orthodontic consultation?

Why early orthodontic
consultation matters

Around the age of 8, your child’s jaw and facial structure are still developing, making it the ideal time for an orthodontic evaluation. Early identification of growth or alignment issues allows our specialists to plan treatment proactively, often with simpler, shorter interventions.

Benefits of early
orthodontic treatment

Detects and corrects problems before they worsen
Reduces the need for complex treatment later
Guides jaw growth for better facial balance
Creates space for adult teeth to erupt properly
Reduces the risk of trauma to protruding teeth
Helps children feel confident in an orthodontic setting
Allows parents to plan ahead for future treatment needs

Why we recommend assessment from
age 7–8

By age 7, your child’s first permanent molars and incisors have usually appeared, establishing their bite. At this stage, Dr Shearn can identify potential issues such as crowding, open bite, overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Detecting these early can greatly reduce the need for tooth extractions or longer treatment in the future.

Did you know that a straight smile
rarely happens by accident?

At Bayside Orthodontists, we strongly recommend that all parents bring their children in for orthodontic assessment as soon as possible, but we have created a checklist that can help you discover if your child will especially benefit from an early intervention assessment:

Is your child 7 - 8 years old?
Does your child suck their thumb?
Has your child started losing their baby teeth earlier than expected?
Has your child experienced late loss of baby teeth?

Does your child have a weak (unpronounced) chin?
Does your child have a protruding chin?
Does your child appear to have an overbite?
Does your child appear to have an underbite?

Does your child appear to have a crossbite?
Are your child’s lips pressed together when they are at rest?
Does your child’s tongue naturally rest within the mouth?
Does your child breathe through their mouth instead of their nose?

Give your child the confidence to smile

Our Specialist Orthodontist, Dr Brittany Shearn, provides gentle, positive care to ensure your child’s experience is comfortable and stress-free. Book your child’s early orthodontic consultation today – no referral is required.

Book a consultation