The window for intercepting jaw and airway problems in children is short. With a CBCT scan and early assessment from age 7, we can catch issues while growth is still on your side.
Most adult orthodontic problems — crowding, narrow arches, open bites, and airway restrictions — originate in childhood. Between the ages of 7 and 11, the jaws and facial bones are actively growing and highly responsive to treatment. During this phase, we can guide jaw width and development with appliances that work with natural growth, achieving results that are simply not possible once the skeleton matures.
This is not about doing orthodontics earlier for the sake of it. It is about identifying the specific conditions — a narrow upper jaw, a developing posterior crossbite, a forward tongue posture, or a constricted airway — that respond predictably and permanently when caught in the growth window. Many of these children go on to need far less complex treatment, or none at all, in their teens.
Breathing through the mouth at rest or during sleep. Often linked to a narrow upper jaw, enlarged tonsils, or restricted nasal airway. Affects facial development over time.
Children who snore, sleep restlessly, or wake frequently may have a partially restricted airway. Sleep-disordered breathing affects concentration, behaviour, and growth.
Teeth crowding before all the adult teeth have erupted suggests the jaw is too narrow. Early expansion creates room naturally, often avoiding extractions later.
When upper back teeth bite inside the lower teeth. A posterior crossbite rarely self-corrects and can cause the jaw to shift to one side during growth, affecting facial symmetry.
A gap between the upper and lower front teeth when biting. Often related to prolonged dummy or thumb habits. Early appliance therapy can correct tongue posture and bite development.
Lisping, tongue thrust during swallowing, or difficulty with certain sounds can indicate a jaw or oral muscle imbalance that benefits from early myofunctional guidance.
Early orthodontic treatment is not braces. In most cases it involves removable or fixed appliances worn during the growth phase to guide development. The goal is to create the conditions for the adult dentition to come through correctly - reducing or eliminating the need for complex treatment later.
A fixed expander that gently widens the upper jaw over 3-6 months. Indicated for posterior crossbites, narrow arches, and nasal airway restriction. Evidence consistently shows RME increases nasal cavity volume and reduces airway resistance in growing children. Best results occur before age 12.
Removable appliances such as the Twin Block or Myobrace that guide jaw position, muscle posture, and tongue function. Used to correct developing overbites, underbites, and poor oral posture. Worn primarily at night and during rest periods.
When a baby tooth is lost early, neighbouring teeth drift into the space intended for an adult tooth. A space maintainer holds that space open, preventing crowding and the need for future extractions.
Exercises and habit training to correct tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and lip seal. Addresses the muscular causes of open bites and narrow arches. Often used alongside appliance therapy to improve and maintain results.
In selected cases, limited fixed braces on the front teeth correct severe crowding, rotations, or bite issues before all adult teeth have erupted. Phase 1 treatment is targeted and time-limited - not full orthodontic treatment.
Not every child needs treatment at age 7. Some benefit most from regular monitoring with intervention at the right growth stage. We assess, explain what we are watching for, and review at the appropriate intervals.
A fixed expander that gently widens the upper jaw over 3 to 6 months. Indicated for posterior crossbites, narrow arches, and nasal airway restriction. Evidence consistently shows RME increases nasal cavity volume and reduces airway resistance in growing children. Best results before age 12.
Removable appliances such as the Twin Block that guide jaw position and muscle posture. Used to correct developing overbites, underbites, and poor oral posture. Worn primarily at night and during rest periods.
When a baby tooth is lost early, neighbouring teeth drift into the space intended for an adult tooth. A space maintainer holds that space open, preventing crowding and the need for future extractions.
Exercises and habit training to correct tongue posture, swallowing patterns, and lip seal. Addresses muscular causes of open bites and narrow arches. Often used alongside appliance therapy to improve and maintain results.
In selected cases, limited fixed braces on the front teeth correct severe crowding or rotations before all adult teeth have erupted. Phase 1 is targeted and time-limited - not full orthodontic treatment.
Not every child needs treatment at age 7. Some benefit most from regular monitoring with intervention at the right growth stage. We assess, explain what we are watching for, and review at appropriate intervals.
Our CBCT scanner does more than take X-rays. It captures a three-dimensional image of the jaws, teeth, and airway structures. Using this data, we can measure the volume of your child's nasal airway and pharynx and identify whether constriction in these areas may be contributing to mouth breathing, snoring, or disrupted sleep.
Airway volume measurement is one data point within a broader clinical picture. It is most useful when it correlates with signs and symptoms - a child who also mouth breathes, snores, has a narrow jaw, or a posterior crossbite. We present the findings clearly and explain what they mean for your child specifically, rather than treating numbers in isolation.
Where airway findings are significant, we work collaboratively with your child's GP, ENT, or sleep physician. Lumi Dental is not a sleep clinic - but we can identify structural dental and skeletal contributions to airway problems and provide the orthodontic component of a multidisciplinary approach.
From age 7. The jaw is actively growing and highly responsive to treatment. Early assessment does not always mean early treatment — it means knowing what to watch for.
Usually removable or fixed appliances to guide jaw width and development — not braces. Most plans run 6-18 months during the growth phase.
Free consultation includes a full assessment. Most treatment plans range from $2,000-$5,000 depending on what is required.
Not always. Many children need significantly less work in their teens, or none at all. Early treatment creates the right conditions for the adult teeth to come through properly.
Orthodontic extras cover may apply depending on your policy. We check your entitlements and advise at consultation.