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Braces ensure that misaligned teeth or jaws are corrected. Generally speaking: the earlier the correction takes place, the more effective it is. More on this in our orthodontics for children and adolescents. But how young can a patient be to wear braces?
We answer this question in this article. We also explain what types of braces are available and which age groups they are suitable for. We also have further information on this topic for you.
For personalized advice on braces for children, we recommend visiting JUST KFO.
Specialist in orthodontics. Owner of JUST KFO in Cologne, sought-after speaker and author who regularly appears in professional publications and media.
Full profile →What reasons might there be for braces?
Braces are prescribed in most cases when teeth are misaligned. Correction with braces is not only for cosmetic reasons. It can also make sense from a functional and medical perspective to include braces in the treatment.
With misalignment, teeth are crooked or rotated or overlap. This can create gaps between teeth. In other areas of the mouth, the teeth are crowded together. These conditions can affect the self-confidence of the person concerned.
In addition, misalignment can impair chewing and biting as well as speaking. Also, when teeth are crowded, they cannot be thoroughly cleaned, which increases the risk of cavities and other dental diseases.
Misaligned teeth can also trigger tension in the jaw joints. Braces also counteract this problem.
Does My Child Actually Need Braces?
Whether a child needs braces depends first and foremost on function, not appearance: Can they bite, chew, speak, and breathe through the nose properly – and is there enough space for the permanent teeth? Straight teeth are more of a side effect, because what functions well usually looks good too.
You may notice these signs at home:
- crowded or crooked teeth
- a noticeable bite
- difficulty biting off food
- mouth breathing
- persistent thumb sucking
Common findings include a receding lower jaw, where the upper incisors sit far in front of the lower ones, a protruding lower jaw, crowding, or an open bite, where the front teeth do not touch when biting together. Sometimes a misalignment is inherited, but often it develops through habits: thumb sucking, nail biting, or pacifiers and bottles used as constant comforters can deform the still-soft jaw. If baby teeth are lost too early due to cavities, the neighboring teeth tilt into the gap and the permanent teeth erupt crooked.
Whether treatment is really needed is shown by the orthodontic examination – you do not have to judge this yourself.
When should correction of misaligned teeth begin?
Treatment of jaw misalignment can theoretically begin as early as preschool age.
In general, however, orthodontic treatment is only carried out in preschool children in exceptional cases. This may be the case with a crossbite, a reverse overbite (the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper ones), an open bite or a cleft of the jaw and palate.
If it becomes apparent that problems arise during the transition from primary to permanent teeth, early orthodontic treatment (approx. 4–9 years) with removable appliances is possible. Aligners can also be used.
Such early treatment remains the exception and is intended for a few clearly defined conditions – in addition to those mentioned, for example a pronounced overjet in which the protruding incisors are more easily injured (Fleming 2017, see Sources).
Main treatment for a child should begin no earlier than age 10. By then, the baby teeth have largely been replaced by permanent teeth. Nevertheless, the jaw is still growing, which makes it possible to correct misalignments in a targeted manner.
During this phase, fixed braces and/or aligners for children are frequently used.
When the first appointment with an orthodontist makes sense is explained in a separate article.
What factors influence when braces make sense?
The age ranges mentioned are not binding, because it is not possible to say in general terms when braces for children make sense. This depends on various factors.
First, the type of misalignment should be considered. If it causes functional problems, such as a crossbite, correction should begin early.
On the other hand, if it is a misalignment that is purely cosmetic in nature, there is no urgent need for action. Instead, correction can be postponed to a later time during adolescence.
It is also important to keep an eye on dental development, which progresses differently in each child. Between the ages of 6 and 12, primary teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.
Additionally, treatment with braces depends on the child’s cooperation. The child should be able to handle the braces responsibly. This applies, for example, to the regular cleaning of removable appliances.
What types of braces are available for children and adolescents?
For children and adolescents, the following options are available for treating misaligned teeth or jaws:
-
removable appliance
-
fixed braces
-
clear aligners
Removable appliances make sense especially for younger children. They usually only need to be worn at night and are made of soft plastic. This makes them comfortable to wear and they do their job literally while sleeping.
Fixed braces, on the other hand, remain in the child’s mouth for an extended period. They are made of metal and are attached to the teeth.
Especially at the beginning, wearing such braces can feel strange because it affects tongue movement as well as chewing and speaking. However, the child gets used to it over time.
A fixed braces system for children must be adjusted regularly so that misaligned teeth can be corrected effectively. This makes periodic visits to the dentist or orthodontist essential.
Especially during the teenage years, wearing braces can be perceived as embarrassing. For this reason, clear aligners are a good option at this age. They are comparable to a removable appliance — with the possible difference that they are made of transparent plastic. This makes them barely visible to others.
The clear aligner can also be removed. However, it should be worn as long as possible each day. It should only be taken out of the mouth when eating.
Because the material does not allow for adjustments to clear aligners, multiple aligners are fabricated. Each aligner is worn for one week, then the next one is used.
To ensure the success of the treatment, it is completed with the wearing of a retainer. This consists of a 5-strand braided, gold-plated metal wire that is bonded to the back of the teeth. It is also invisible and prevents the teeth from shifting back to their original position.
Removable retainers are also available, which only need to be worn at night after the active orthodontic treatment.
What Does Health Insurance Pay for Children?
For children and adolescents with statutory health insurance, the insurance covers treatment if a recognized treatment need exists. The benchmark is the five orthodontic indication groups (Kieferorthopädische Indikationsgruppen, KIG): grade 1 stands for a minor deviation, grade 5 for a very pronounced one. From grade 3 onward, the insurance pays; for grades 1 and 2, treatment is a private service, even if it may be beneficial.
If the insurance covers the treatment, it pays 80 percent of the costs directly. You initially pay the remaining 20 percent yourself and receive it back once treatment has been completed successfully. Services beyond standard care are agreed upon separately; what applies in your case is set out in the treatment and cost plan before treatment begins.
What about adults and braces?
The correction of misaligned teeth in children can therefore begin relatively early. But up to what age are braces possible and sensible?
There is no upper age limit for treatment with braces or aligners. Thus, even older adults can be treated this way.
However, some limitations apply. Because jaw growth in adults is already complete, it is no longer possible to guide the growth. Potential jaw misalignments in adults therefore remain or are corrected in a very complex combined orthodontic/oral surgery treatment.
If there is a misalignment of the jaws, it is therefore advisable to bring your child in early.
When it comes to correcting misaligned teeth at an older age, a longer treatment time than in children should also be expected. This is because tooth movements in adults proceed much more slowly than in children.
Feel free to contact us at JUST KFO in Cologne. We offer individual solutions for children, adolescents and adults. You can immediately book an appointment online.
Sources, studies & further reading
- Batista, K. B. S. L., Thiruvenkatachari, B., Harrison, J. E., & O’Brien, K. D. (2018). Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), CD003452. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003452.pub4
- Ugolini, A., Agostino, P., Silvestrini-Biavati, A., Harrison, J. E., & Batista, K. B. S. L. (2021). Orthodontic treatment for posterior crossbites. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD000979. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000979.pub3
- Grippaudo, C., Paolantonio, E. G., Antonini, G., et al. (2016). Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion. Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 36(5), 386–394. doi:10.14639/0392-100X-770
- Fleming P. S. (2017). Timing orthodontic treatment: early or late?. Australian dental journal, 62 Suppl 1, 11-19. doi:10.1111/adj.12474
- Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss). Guideline for orthodontic treatment (KFO-Richtlinie). g-ba.de/richtlinien/28 · Section 29 SGB V. gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__29.html
Frequently asked questions about when braces make sense
At what age do braces make sense?
That depends on the individual case. Most treatments begin with the transition to permanent teeth, roughly between ages 9 and 14, because the jaw is still growing and can be guided effectively. For certain malocclusions, early treatment may make sense even earlier – we determine this individually.
Can you still get braces as an adult?
Yes. Tooth corrections are possible at any age, as long as the teeth and periodontal structures are healthy. For adults, inconspicuous aligners are often used. Depending on the initial situation, treatment often takes somewhat longer, as the jaw is no longer growing.
How can I tell if my child needs braces?
Signs can include crowded or crooked teeth, a noticeable bite, difficulty biting off food, mouth breathing, or persistent thumb sucking. However, only an orthodontic examination provides certainty – you do not have to judge this yourself.
How do I know if the timing is right?
A good indicator is the change of teeth: As soon as the permanent incisors have erupted, the development of the jaw and dental arches can be assessed. Whether treatment is necessary at all is a separate question — it is answered in the section Does My Child Actually Need Braces? above.
Do misaligned teeth always need to be treated?
No. Not every minor deviation requires treatment. What matters is whether the misalignment affects function, health, or well-being. Sometimes monitoring the development is sufficient — that too is a legitimate outcome of the consultation.
When should the first checkup appointment take place?
As a guideline, we recommend a first orthodontic consultation around age 6 to 9, so that the optimal time for treatment is not missed. If noticeable findings are present, feel free to come in earlier.
At what age are fixed braces suitable for children?
Fixed braces are usually placed once the permanent teeth have largely erupted—for most children, between ages 11 and 13. Before that, during the mixed dentition phase, we typically work with removable appliances that guide jaw growth. Exceptions exist for pronounced misalignments, such as a crossbite or severely displaced teeth: in those cases, a fixed appliance on individual teeth may be sensible earlier. We determine the right timing together after the initial examination.
Does health insurance cover the cost for children?
For children and adolescents, statutory health insurance covers the costs if the misalignment is pronounced enough (KIG classification 3 to 5): it pays 80 percent directly, and you receive the 20 percent co-payment back after successful completion of treatment. In milder cases or for additional services, private costs may arise – we discuss this in advance.
Reviewed by Dr. med. dent. Julia Steinmaier, specialist in orthodontics · Last reviewed on June 5, 2026
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