1. In case of delay in emergence of the teeth. Most children start getting their baby teeth by 5-7 months of age. In case of delay beyond 1 year of age in the emergence of the teeth it is advisable to seek opinion of your dentist.
2. If the milk teeth is shed off and the permanent teeth do not replace it.
3. Teeth that are erupting too close to one another or are crowded together.
4. Teeth that are too far apart or spaced teeth.
   
   
5. If the front teeth are too far forward and the lip does not cover the teeth.
6. Continued presence of habits such as finger sucking beyond 4 years of age often requires professional assistance to discontinue the habit and to rectify the damage done to the bite.
7. Normally the upper teeth are ahead of the lower teeth. In case the lower teeth are ahead of the upper it is called cross bite and should alert you to immediately seek professional advice.
8. If a space exists between the upper and the lower teeth when the teeth are brought together. This is called open bite and signifies improper bite that requires orthodontic care.
9. Presence of a space in the middle between the 2 incisors. This is called midline diastema.
10. Difficulty in chewing or biting
    
    
11. Difficulty in pronunciation of certain words or lisping.
12. Children who breathe through the mouth due to some nasal problem or as a habit.
13. In case one or both the parents have had orthodontic problems in the past.
14. In case your child is habituated to the use of pacifiers for too long.

At what age should orthodontic treatment begin?

• Although orthodontic treatment can be done at any age they are best carried out in young children of 8-15 years age.
• During this age it is possible for the orthodontist to foresee any dental problems that are likely to occur and can take preventive measures. This is called preventive orthodontics.
• It is also possible to intercept disorders of the bite at an early stage so that it does not mature to a big dental problem. This is called interceptive orthodontics.
• The jaws are actively growing by 8-10 years of age and therefore are the ideal time to mould the jaws.
• The permanent teeth start erupting by 6-7 years of age and complete erupting by 12-14 years (all except the wisdom teeth). This would therefore be the ideal time to start treatment.

What happens if the treatment is delayed?>

• At an early age the braces are less painful and the treatment duration is shorter. Advancing age makes the jaws harder and therefore makes it difficult to mold the jaws and to move the teeth.
• As mentioned in the earlier section, in younger individuals it is possible to prevent and intercept the developing problems. But orthodontic treatment can be carried out at any age.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

• The duration of treatment depends from person to person and from one orthodontist to other.
• Most jaw molding and jaw corrections carried out during the growing age takes 1-11/2 years.
• Orthodontic treatment with braces often takes 2 - 2 1/2 years.
  
• The orthodontist would advice you on how long the treatment is going to take after studying the case.

How does orthodontic treatment work?

• The jaws in a growing child can be molded by application of some pressure on them. They can be made to become bigger, longer, shorter, wider etc. by using appropriate type of braces.

The jaws can be made wider or longer during the growing period