Fixing Front Teeth Early: Does It Really Help?

If your child has teeth that stick out—especially the top front teeth—it’s often because of something called a Class II malocclusion (commonly known as an overbite). That’s a fancy way of saying the top jaw and teeth are too far forward compared to the bottom ones. But does starting treatment early really make a difference?

A team of researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed randomised clinical trials—the highest quality studies—to find out. You can read their full report here: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003452.pub4

What Did the Researchers Study?

The scientists looked at:

Children who had Class II problems (upper teeth stick out too far)
Different kinds of early orthodontic treatments (like headgear, twin blocks, or functional appliances)
Whether these treatments helped prevent injuries, fixed the bite, or improved appearance

They also compared early treatment (starting around age 8–10) with later treatment (starting in early teens), or no treatment at all.

What Did They Find?

✔ Early treatment reduces the risk of dental injury

Kids with sticking-out front teeth are more likely to knock or break them. Early treatment lowers that risk by nearly half!

✔ It gives kids confidence

Treatments like twin blocks can make the upper front teeth less prominent. This can be important for confidence, safety, and long-term oral health.

❌ But it doesn’t always change the jaw bones

Most early treatments move the teeth well, but they do not have a large effect on the bones. So the jaw mismatch is still there, and many kids may still need more treatment later.

✔ Two-phase treatment may help in special cases

In some situations, doing a bit of treatment early and finishing later might give better results. But it also means more time in braces overall.

What Does This Mean for Parents?

Early orthodontic treatment helps reduce injury risk and can improve how teeth look and feel
But it might not fix everything—some kids will still need full braces later on
Your orthodontist can help decide if early treatment is worth it based on your child’s bite and risk of trauma

Key Takeaways

Kids with front teeth that stick out or overbite benefit the most from early care
Twin blocks are common tools used for early correction and now we can use them with aligners
Not all early treatment changes jaw structure, but it helps teeth positioning and reduces injury risk
Always talk to a specialist—every child’s mouth is different!

Final Word

Early treatment for Class II problems isn’t for everyone—but for the right kids, it can mean fewer injuries, better confidence, and a smoother orthodontic journey down the track.

Want to know if early treatment is right for your child? Book a consult at Adelaide Orthodontics

Dr Sven