---
title: "Facial Growth Myths"
date: 2025-05-23
author: "Dr. Ryan Redford"
categories:
  - name: "Ceramic Braces Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/ceramic-braces-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Child Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/child-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Damon Braces Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/damon-braces-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Invisalign Clear Braces"
    url: "/category/invisalign-clear-braces.md"
  - name: "Invisalign for Teenagers"
    url: "/category/invisalign-for-teenagers.md"
  - name: "Lingual Braces Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/lingual-braces-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Retainers and Sports Mouthguards"
    url: "/category/retainers-and-sports-mouthguards.md"
  - name: "Teen Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/teen-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Temecula Orthodontist"
    url: "/category/temecula-orthodontist.md"
  - name: "Traditional Metal Braces"
    url: "/category/traditional-metal-braces.md"
---

# Facial Growth Myths

## **Why Age 7 Is the Magic Number for Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit**

**Outgrowing Myths**

Ask ten parents when a child should see an orthodontist and you may get ten different answers:

- “Middle school—after all the baby teeth are gone.”
- “High school, when they’re ready for braces in yearbook photos.”
- “Only if the dentist spots a problem.”

While well-intentioned, these answers overlook an important fact: **facial growth does not pause until the teenage years.** In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation **no later than age 7.**

At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, [Dr. Ryan Redford](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/dr-ryan-redford/) and Dr. Michael Burke have spent more than three decades guiding young smiles in Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, and the Inland Valley surrounding communities. We offer *growth checks* precisely because we know early insight often prevents bigger problems—and bigger bills—later.

![top orthodontist for children - kids braces - child braces](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/wp-content/uploads/top-children-orthodontist-600x316.jpg)Another Happy Braces Patient at Burke & Redford Orthodontists with Offices in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, CA, for 30 Years.### **Six Common Myths About Early Orthodontic Care**

**Myth****Reality****1. “Baby teeth don’t matter.”**Primary teeth guide the eruption path of permanent teeth and maintain arch length. Premature loss or severe decay can set the stage for crowding and bite problems.**2. “Kids will outgrow a crooked bite.”**While some spacing does self-correct, growth can also magnify discrepancies, especially crossbites and jaw asymmetries.**3. “Wait until all permanent teeth are in.”**By ages 11–13, much facial growth is complete, limiting non-surgical options for severe underbites and crossbites.**4. “Braces before age 12 are unnecessary.”**Phase I treatment can shorten (or eliminate) Phase II braces, reduce extractions, and protect protruding incisors from trauma.**5. “Early treatment costs more.”**Intervention can avert expensive surgery, reduce time in full braces, and decrease the invasiveness of later treatment.**6. “My dentist will tell me if we need an orthodontist.”**General dentists excel at cavities and cleanings, but orthodontists spend years studying growth patterns and facial harmony. A free consult never hurts and can often reveal issues not seen by the dentist. The Science Behind “Seven”**

1. **Rapid Skeletal Change**

Between ages 6 and 9, upper-jaw sutures remain pliable. This window allows gentle palatal expansion to correct a crossbite or make room for erupting incisors—often in a matter of months.

2. **Mixed Dentition Snapshot**

At 7, children usually have four permanent molars and four permanent incisors. These “guideposts” give orthodontists a reliable preview of crowding, spacing, or bite imbalance.

3. **Airway & Breathing Assessment**

Enlarged adenoids, mouth-breathing, or a constricted airway can influence jaw direction. If any problems are present, we can refer the child to the appropriate physician for management.

4. **Habit Intervention**

Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and nail biting can push front teeth outward and affect speech. Interceptive appliances—placed well before teenage peer pressure kicks in—curb these habits and redirect growth.

![ceramic braces orthodontist](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/wp-content/uploads/ceramic-braces-600x293.jpg)One of Our Amazing Patients with a Gorgeous Smile Transformation!**What Happens at a Complimentary Growth Check?**

1. **Friendly Tour & Photos**
    - Kids meet our team, see the “big camera,” and feel at ease.
    - Digital photos document bite, smile, and facial profile.
2. **Low-Dose Panoramic X-ray or Targeted CBCT**
    - Reveals missing, extra, or impacted teeth.
    - Shows root alignment and jaw relationships in three dimensions.
3. **Redford or Dr. Burke Exam**
    - Checks erupting teeth, oral habits, jaw shifts, and symmetry.
    - Estimates growth potential.
4. **Parent Consultation**
    - Clear explanation of findings—no jargon.
    - One of three recommendations: 
        1. *“Everything looks good—let’s monitor once a year.”*
        2. *“Let’s start a simple Phase I appliance to guide growth.”*
        3. *“We see a concern that needs coordinated care (ENT, speech, etc.).”*

![braces for children temecula ca](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/wp-content/uploads/braces-for-children-600x293.jpg)

**Early-Stage Tools in Our Temecula & Lake Elsinore Offices**

Custom appliances are planned and fabricated with the help of our **Planmeca ProMax® 3-D CBCT** and **iTero® digital impression** systems for accurate diagnosis and precise, comfortable fit.

- [ **Bonded & Banded Palatal Expanders**](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/banded-and-bonded-expanders/)

Gently widen a narrow upper jaw, correcting crossbites and freeing space for erupting canines.

- [ **Quad-Helix & W-Arch**](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/quad-helix-appliance/)

Deliver flexible, light forces—ideal for mild expansion or retention after other expansion devices.

- [ **Lower Lingual Holding Arch & Nance**](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/holding-arch-nance-arch/)

Maintain molar position when baby molars fall out early, preventing future crowding and saving critical “leeway space”.

- [ **Habit Appliances (Thumb Cribs, Bluegrass Rollers)**](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/how-to-stop-thumb-sucking-habit/)

Stop thumb sucking or tongue thrust without scolding or reminding—behavioral changes through design.

- [ **Self-Ligating Braces**](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/)

Align erupting incisors, close traumatic gaps, and reduce risk of chipped front teeth.

- **[ Invisalign](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/invisalign/)® First**

Clear aligners designed for mixed dentition—expand arches, align front teeth, and build hygiene habits.

![ceramic braces cost vs metal and invisalign](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/wp-content/uploads/ceramic-braces-cost-600x293.jpg)We Just Love to See Our Patients Happy with Their New Smiles!**Example Orthodontic Cases**

**Ethan, Age 8 – [Crossbite Correction](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/crossbite-treatment-in-children/)**

Orthodontic records showed Ethan’s upper arch 4 mm narrower than his lower. A bonded expander achieved ideal width in four months; Phase II braces finished at age 13 in just 18 months—no extractions needed.

**Luna, Age 7 – [Severe Overjet (Buck Teeth)](https://burkeredfordorthodontists.com/overjet-vs-overbite/)**

Luna’s upper incisors protruded 7 mm, putting them at high trauma risk. A short Phase I with relatively inexpensive removable type retainer retracted the front teeth to a better position; two months later she tripped at recess—front teeth intact!

**Mateo, Age 9 – Mouth-Breathing & Snoring**

Airway analysis revealed enlarged adenoids. ENT removal plus rapid palatal expansion improved breathing; teachers reported improved focus, and his parents said the snoring was eliminated.

## **FAQs Parents Ask at Age 7 Orthodontic Consultations**

### **If you start now, won’t my child need braces twice?**

Phase I aims to correct skeletal or functional problems early. Some children finish Phase I and need only retainers or a short aligner touch-up later. Many patients do require comprehensive braces later.

### **Isn’t radiation exposure a concern?**

Our ultra-low CBCT protocols equal roughly one trans-Atlantic flight. In many cases it replaces multiple traditional X-rays. CBCT images are not taken as a screening film on all patients – only if there is a specific indication for one (Ie. impacted canines that may harm the roots of adjacent permanent front teeth)

### **What if my child isn’t ready emotionally?**

Most early appliances are fixed (no compliance required). We use kid-friendly language, rewards, and short visits to build confidence.

#### **The Burke & Redford Difference**

- **Board-Certified Expertise** — Dr. Redford (ABO diplomate with 10+ years’ experience) and Dr. Burke (ABO diplomate with 30+ years’ experience).
- **Kid-Centric Design** — Fun atmosphere, gentle and experienced clinical assistants.
- **Leading Technology** — Self-ligating clear and [metal braces](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wWp5aWkBCEKGdhbF6), [Damon braces](https://g.co/kgs/ji62LXc), Invisalign, growth modification appliances.
- **Flexible Financing** — $0 down and 0% interest (for patients who qualify), and PPO insurance maximization.
- **Community Commitment** — Sponsorships with local schools, little leagues, soccer leagues, etc.

**Ready for Your Child’s Free Growth Check?**

The myths are gone, the science is clear, and the AAO agrees **age 7 is the magic number** to set young smiles on the right path. A consultation today can save years of regret tomorrow.

📞 **Call Burke & Redford Orthodontists** at [**(951) 699-8011**](tel:9516998011)

🌐 Or request an appointment through our website anytime.

Let’s guide growth—together—so your child can bite, speak, and smile with confidence for life.