Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic logo Washington Dental GANGNAM · SEOUL

Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul

Growth-stage orthodontics for children
underbite · protrusion · receding chin

While a child is still growing, the direction of jaw growth can be guided. Skeletal problems that might need surgery in adulthood if the timing is missed can be treated with appliances that work with growth.

Ask about timing for your child +82-2-552-3000

If you suspect an underbite or a bite problem, a first orthodontic check-up at age 6 to 7 is recommended. Growth-stage treatment works best between about 6 and 13. Not every child needs early treatment, and when there is no skeletal problem, regular monitoring until the permanent teeth come in is often the better plan.

Children's orthodontics in brief

  • ConditionsUnderbite, protrusion, receding chin, facial asymmetry and deep bite in children, and malocclusion caused by thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting
  • When to checkFrom age 6 to 7 if protrusion or underbite is suspected. Treatment is most effective during growth, roughly ages 6 to 13.
  • Main appliancesFacemask (underbite), headgear (protrusion, receding chin), myofunctional appliances, clear aligners for children
  • Treating doctorDr. Keun-Hye Lee, board-certified orthodontic specialist, treating children for nearly 17 years
Growth Orthodontics

Why treat during growth?

In short, a child's underbite often does not get better by waiting. In children, an underbite is often not simply a large lower jaw. It comes from an imbalance between the growth of the upper and lower jaws. During growth, appliances can guide the direction of jaw growth. Once growth is finished, the same problem may have to be solved by moving teeth alone, or surgery may need to be considered. That is why the timing decision shapes the whole treatment.

Appliances and what they do

Growth-stage orthodontic appliances compared
ApplianceForHow it works
Facemask Underbite in children (most effective at ages 6 to 13) Encourages upper jaw growth and restrains lower jaw growth to improve or prevent an underbite. Children's jawbones respond quickly, so a stable result can be expected.
Headgear Protrusion and receding chin (most effective at ages 6 to 13) Controls upper jaw growth to improve protrusion without extractions. For a receding chin, it encourages lower jaw growth.
Myofunctional appliance Thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting habits Uses the muscles around the mouth to guide jaw growth in a normal direction and breaks bad habits, preventing or improving problems such as an anterior open bite.
Clear aligners for children Tooth alignment and bite problems during growth Clear appliances that can be combined with growth guidance. Easy to keep clean and comfortable to wear.
Dr. Keun-Hye Lee of Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic treating a patient, nearly 17 years of children's orthodontics
Nearly 17 years of children's orthodontics, separating cases that need early treatment from cases that only need monitoring

"Does my child need treatment now, or can we wait?"

In short, growth-stage treatment is not necessary for every child. Parents are most often confused by being told "if you don't start now, it will be too late". Cases that need early intervention can be distinguished from cases that can start after the permanent teeth have come in.

Early intervention or monitoring
Typical casesWhy
Treatment during growth is needed Crossbite (front teeth biting the wrong way, possible underbite), imbalanced upper and lower jaw growth, habits that affect the skeleton such as mouth breathing or thumb-sucking, a severe deep bite The direction of jaw growth can only be guided during growth. If the window is missed, there are fewer options in adulthood.
Waiting is fine Most cases where only the alignment of the teeth is crooked and there is no skeletal problem Treating once after the permanent teeth are in can be more efficient. Only regular monitoring is needed in the meantime.

At Washington Dental, if a check-up shows that early treatment is not needed, our rule is to tell you plainly that monitoring is enough for now. We do not recommend treatment by making parents anxious.

Why different clinics give different answers

"We went to three clinics and each told us something different" is a very common situation in children's orthodontics. It happens because clinics assess growth stage at different points, hold different philosophies (early intervention or monitoring) and have experience with different appliances. These questions help you judge:

  • Does the clinic explain "why now" with growth assessment records (X-rays, growth stage)?
  • Is the proposed appliance directly linked to your child's problem (crossbite, mouth breathing and so on)?
  • Is monitoring without treatment also presented as an option?
  • Is the treating dentist an orthodontic specialist, and will the same doctor see your child until treatment ends?

Dr. Keun-Hye Lee is a board-certified orthodontic specialist who has treated children for nearly 17 years. Check-up consultations for a second opinion are also available.

Signs that a check-up is worth booking

  • The front teeth bite the wrong way (lower teeth in front of the upper teeth)
  • The lower teeth are barely visible when your child smiles (possible deep bite)
  • The chin looks shifted to one side when the mouth is closed
  • A thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habit has lasted a long time
  • The mouth looks pushed forward and your child has trouble closing the lips
Timing. Growth treatment for underbite is most effective when started between ages 6 and 13, especially while the upper jaw is growing actively. Each child's growth stage differs, so the right starting point is decided at a check-up. (Source: the doctor's clinical standard, July 2026)

Media coverage (in Korean)

FAQ

Questions about children's orthodontics

At what age should a child have an orthodontic check-up?
If an underbite or bite problem is suspected, a check-up from age 6 to 7 is recommended. If there is no problem, we simply monitor. If a skeletal problem is found, the treatment timing is planned around the child's growth.
How many hours a day is a facemask worn?
It is mostly worn at home and during sleep, and 12 hours or more a day is generally recommended. We give specific wear times based on the child's condition.
Can children have clear aligner treatment?
Yes. Clear aligners for growing children can be designed together with growth guidance and suit children who have developed good habits for looking after the appliance. Whether they are suitable is decided after a check-up.
We were told "it will be a big problem if you don't start now". Is that true?
It depends. For skeletal problems that can only be guided during growth, such as crossbite, mouth breathing or imbalanced jaw growth, timing matters. If the problem is only tooth alignment, treatment can start after the permanent teeth come in. Ask for an explanation of "why now" based on growth assessment records, and get a second opinion if you are not sure. Washington Dental recommends monitoring for children who do not need early treatment.
After phase 1 (growth) treatment, will my child need phase 2 as well?
Phase 1 treatment during growth sets the direction of jaw growth. A phase 2 treatment to finish tooth alignment may be needed once all the permanent teeth are in. A well-done phase 1 often makes phase 2 simpler or helps avoid extractions. We explain the likelihood and rough timing of phase 2 before phase 1 begins.
We live abroad. Can our child be seen during a visit to Korea?
A check-up with X-rays can be done during a visit, and the result tells you whether early treatment or monitoring is appropriate. If treatment is needed, tell the clinic how often you can come to Korea before a plan is made, because growth treatment involves follow-up visits. Consultations are in Korean, so contact the KakaoTalk channel "강남워싱턴치과" in advance.

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Last updated: October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Keun-Hye Lee, board-certified orthodontic specialist