M any people tend to associate orthodontics with teenagers who are having their smiles straightened out with braces. But, as dentists now know, the building blocks for a healthy, beautiful and straight smile begin much earlier. In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists suggests all kids get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. Families who are thinking about Orthodontic treatment in Dana Point , they may wonder if early intervention could mean the difference between a simple preventive plan and a more involved treatment in the future. Objectives of assessment in the early years Orthodontic assessments in younger children do not mean you are going to put braces on them immediately. Rather, they are focused on supervising dental and facial growth to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. These exams help orthodontists identify crowding, improper jaw growth and crossbites, overbites, and other early misalignments – often well before all the permanent ...