“At what age should I take my child to the orthodontist for braces?”

 This is a question I am repeatedly asked as an orthodontist.  Before I answer   this question, please allow me to formally introduce myself.  My name is Dr.    Sheela Kudchadker (pronounced “could-Chad-car”) and I am a board certified  and licensed specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

  It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the grand opening of my private practice.  Pearland Orthodontics, located on FM 518, near CR 90, in the beautiful Sunrise Lake Village.  This site was chosen due to the ideal convenient features it has to offer, such as its location being just one mile inside SH 288, close proximity to schools and daycare facilities, adjacent to several restaurants, and situated in front of a beautiful lake with a walkway.  To further provide my patients with an added convenience, Pearland Orthodontics has flexible hours with early morning and late evening appointments available.  Flexible payment plans and acceptance of most dental insurance policies are also available to try to accommodate each patient’s financial needs.  The overall philosophy of Pearland Orthodontics is to provide quality orthodontic treatment to every adult, teenager and child in a fun, friendly atmosphere, where patients are treated like family.

            Now to get back to the original question, “At what age should I take my child to the orthodontist for braces?”  According to the American Association of Orthodontics, children should be evaluated by an orthodontist no later than age of 7.  This is an ideal time for an evaluation because the growth of the jaws, crowding of erupting permanent teeth, excessive flaring of front teeth, damaging habit patterns (such as thumb sucking and tongue thrust), and teeth grinding can be addressed and if indicated, treated by the orthodontist.  I find that in my patients who need early orthodontic treatment, extensive treatment in the future can be minimized or avoided, such as extraction of permanent teeth.  Furthermore, early orthodontic treatment may also play an important role in the healthy development of a child’s self-esteem.  Not all children require early phase treatment; it is only after I do a thorough diagnosis that I determine if indeed early treatment will be beneficial for the child.  To provide this service to the community, at Pearland Orthodontics, all initial examinations are at no cost.

            Pearland is a beautiful and fast growing city.  My husband and I live in Pearland along with our two kids, Reena and Rohan, both of whom attend the local school. We are proud to be part of this wonderful community.