When Should My Child See an Orthodontist? A Guide for Maine Parents

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have an orthodontic check-up by age 7. For most Maine parents that sounds early — and for most kids, no treatment is needed yet. So why bother?

What we look for at age 7

By age 7, the permanent first molars and incisors are usually in. That's enough information for us to assess jaw growth, spacing, crossbites, severe crowding, and habits like thumb-sucking that can shape the developing bite. We're not looking to start braces — we're looking to catch the small handful of issues that are easier to fix when a child is still growing.

What a first visit looks like

Quick and friendly. About 30 minutes. We take a few photos, do a gentle exam, and walk parents through what we see. Most kids leave with a 'see you in a year' plan — we monitor growth for free until any treatment, if needed, is the right call. There's no charge for this consultation at any of our four offices.

Phase I (early) treatment — when it actually helps

Roughly one in five kids benefits from a short interceptive treatment between ages 7 and 10. Common reasons include a narrow upper jaw, a crossbite, or severe crowding that's blocking permanent teeth from coming in. Phase I is usually 6–12 months and can make a much bigger Phase II (or even no Phase II) far simpler down the road.

Common Maine parent questions

Will my child miss school? We offer after-school and Saturday appointments at our Waterville, Auburn, Portland, and Biddeford offices specifically because Maine families juggle a lot — between school, sports, and the drive to the office, we want appointments to feel small.

Does MaineCare cover this? In some pediatric cases, yes. We verify coverage at your first visit and lay out exactly what insurance pays and what you'd pay.

Schedule your child's free Smile Check at the Align Orthodontics office nearest you — most families are seen within a week or two.