From a Child’s First Visit at Age 7 to Adult Treatment at Any Age
At Freedman & Haas Orthodontics, we believe there’s no age limit to a healthy, confident smile. From a child’s very first orthodontic evaluation at age 7 — the age the American Association of Orthodontists recommends — to adults straightening their teeth for the first time in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, we treat patients at every life stage at our West Palm Beach and Wellington offices.
Our two board-certified orthodontists, Dr. Douglas Freedman and Dr. Sharon Haas, have personally guided more than 40,000 patients to a healthier smile over four decades of practice. About one in three of our current patients is an adult — proof that the days of orthodontics being “just for teens” are long over.
Below, you’ll find treatment information specific to your situation, whether you’re a parent planning ahead for your child, the parent of a teenager, or an adult considering treatment for yourself.
Children
Early evaluation can catch developing bite and jaw issues at the age when intervention is most effective. The AAO recommends a first orthodontic exam by age 7.
Teens
The most common age for orthodontic treatment. Choose between Invisalign Teen, traditional braces, or clear ceramic braces based on lifestyle and preferences.
Adults
About 1 in 3 of our patients is an adult. Whether you couldn’t get treatment as a child or your teeth have shifted, it’s never too late for a better smile.
Modern Orthodontic Treatments at Every Age
Whether you’re 7 or 70, we use the same modern technology and treatment systems at every visit. Our orthodontic options include:
- Invisalign and Invisalign Teen — Clear, removable aligners for adults and teens with mild to moderate alignment needs
- Clear (ceramic) braces — Tooth-colored brackets that blend in with the natural smile
- Traditional metal braces — Modern, low-profile brackets — the most predictable option for complex cases at any age
- Two-phase early treatment — Interceptive care for children ages 7–11
- Retainers and habit appliances — Post-treatment retention and pediatric appliances like palatal expanders
Orthodontics for Children
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, enough permanent teeth have come in for an orthodontist to spot developing issues — bite problems, jaw growth concerns, crowding, or impacted teeth — early enough to intervene effectively. In many cases, the first visit reveals that no treatment is needed at all and we’ll simply check in periodically until braces become appropriate.
Early intervention can change outcomes
When orthodontic issues are caught early, we can guide jaw growth and tooth eruption in ways we can’t once a child is fully grown. Conditions like severe crowding, underbites, overbites, and crossbites are far easier to correct in a 7- to 11-year-old than in a teenager. For some children, early intervention can completely eliminate the need for jaw surgery later in life.
Two-phase treatment: how it works
For children who need it, we use a two-phase treatment approach. Not every child needs both phases — many only need Phase 2 traditional braces in their teen years — but for the children who benefit from Phase 1, the long-term results are dramatically better.
Phase One — The Growth Phase (Ages 7–11)
During Phase One, Dr. Freedman or Dr. Haas works to guide the jaw, tooth alignment, and dental ridges so the child’s mouth is prepared for traditional braces between ages 11 and 13. We may use orthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, palatal expanders, retainers, or headgear, and in some cases short-term braces, to position permanent teeth correctly as they erupt.
Resting Stage
After Phase One completes, your child enters a resting stage. During this time, the remaining permanent teeth come in naturally, and we monitor growth with periodic check-ins (no active appliances).
Phase Two – The Alignment Phase (Ages 11–13+)
Once all permanent teeth have emerged, Dr. Freedman or Dr. Haas applies full braces — or starts Invisalign Teen — to complete the alignment. Patients who completed Phase One typically experience a shorter, easier Phase Two and significantly better long-term outcomes than children who skipped Phase One.
Growth Phase
Guide jaw growth, correct crossbites, address severe crowding. Appliances may include palatal expanders, space maintainers, or short-term braces.
Resting Stage
Remaining permanent teeth come in naturally. Periodic check-ins, no active treatment. Most children spend 1–2 years here.
Alignment Phase
Traditional braces or Invisalign Teen to complete alignment. Patients who did Phase 1 typically have shorter, easier Phase 2 treatment.
Orthodontics for Teens(Ages 11–17)
Most orthodontic treatment happens between ages 11 and 16. By this point, nearly all permanent teeth have come in but the jaw is still developing — meaning teeth respond predictably to treatment and we can address bite issues efficiently. Treatment that takes 2+ years in an adult often completes in 18 months for a teen.
Common concerns we address in teens
- Overbites and underbites
- Crowded or rotated teeth
- Gaps and spacing issues
- Crossbites and open bites
- Impacted or unerupted permanent teeth
- Jaw alignment issues that affect speech or chewing
Treatment Options for Teens
Modern teen orthodontics offers far more than the metal braces of a generation ago. We help every teen choose the option that works best for their lifestyle, activities, and personal preferences:
Most comprehensive treatments at this age take 12–24 months. Minor corrections can complete in as little as 6 months. We provide a specific timeline at the free consultation based on your teen’s bite and goals.
Benefits of Treatment
Your teen gets many benefits from receiving orthodontic treatment during their formative years. Just a few of them include:
- Reduced potential for food to get trapped between teeth – When your teen’s teeth are properly aligned, they can easily clean all areas of the tooth. Since bacteria can grow on this debris and cause tooth decay, it’s best to prevent this situation from occurring entirely.
- Easier to promote a healthy diet – When they don’t experience pain while chewing, they’ll be less likely to turn their nose up at food that needs some work before swallowing it.
- Sidestep long-term complications – TMJ, which is commonly characterized by a clicking sound at the jaw, doesn’t only cause pain in the mouth. The tension can also lead to headaches and other adverse conditions that impact quality of life.
- Overall health boosts – Dental health connects directly to your teen’s overall health. If they struggle with frequent problems with their teeth, it could lead to serious medical issues elsewhere in the body.
Adult Orthodontics
Approximately one in three of our current patients is an adult — and adult orthodontics is the fastest-growing segment of our practice. Whether you couldn’t get treatment as a child, refused braces as a teen, or your teeth have shifted over the years, it’s never too late to invest in a smile you’re proud of.
Why adults are choosing orthodontic treatment now
Modern Invisalign and clear braces have made adult orthodontics far more accessible than it was even ten years ago. We see adults pursuing treatment for many reasons:
Most comprehensive treatments at this age take 12–24 months. Minor corrections can complete in as little as 6 months. We provide a specific timeline at the free consultation based on your teen’s bite and goals.
How adult treatment differs from teen treatment
Your teen gets many benefits from receiving orthodontic treatment during their formative years. Just a few of them include:
- Treatment takes longer – Because the adult jawbone is fully developed, tooth movement is slower. Most adult cases take 18–30 months, vs 12–18 months for teens.
- Gum health matters – If you have gum disease, it needs to be treated before orthodontics can begin. We’ll evaluate your periodontal health at the first visit and coordinate with your dentist if needed.
- Jaw structure can’t be changed – Issues that would require simply guiding growth in a child sometimes require surgical correction in an adult. We’ll discuss whether your case is purely orthodontic or whether a referral to an oral surgeon makes sense..
- Lifestyle compatibility matters – We choose treatments that fit your professional and personal life — Invisalign for video meetings, clear braces for adults who want fixed appliances but no metal look.