Raymond M. Sugiyama, Orthodontist practicing in San Francisco, CA

Adults

are adults. There are several treatment options available that would be more appealing to the adult patient such as Invisalign and clear braces.

Children

It's best for the orthodontist to see children by age seven, the first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding and other problems can be evaluated.  Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth and avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions. Early treatment can lessen the length and severity of full treatment later on.