Early Orthodontic Treatment
Shaping growth and planning for future smiles.
What is Early Treatment?
Early treatment—also known as Phase I—typically begins between ages 7-9, while Phase II will begin around age eleven or older.
During your visit the doctor will evaluate your child’s growth and development and provide you with a detailed plan for your child’s treatment.
In many cases, an early phase of treatment is not needed. In these cases, the Dr. will follow your child’s growth and development until he or she is ready for braces. This is a service provided to you as a courtesy, at no cost to you.
Why is Phase I Treatment Important?
The goal of early treatment is to develop the jaws to allow the most ideal dental development and create the best foundation for your child’s future bite and smile.
Enhancing the growth of the jaw and correcting certain bite concerns early, such as an underbite, crossbite, or crowding, eliminates more aggressive lengthy forms of treatment including permanent tooth extractions and surgery.
Other orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits are all scenarios in which children can benefit from early treatment.
Additional advantages include increased self-esteem and improved breathing (expansion treatment).
Enhancing the growth of the jaw and correcting certain bite concerns early, such as an underbite, crossbite, or crowding, eliminates more aggressive lengthy forms of treatment including permanent tooth extractions and surgery.
Other orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits are all scenarios in which children can benefit from early treatment.
Additional advantages include increased self-esteem and improved breathing (expansion treatment).
How to Get Started
If your child is between the ages of seven and nine it is an ideal time to get your orthodontic plan. An early assessment of your child’s growth will give you the peace of mind that your child is thriving. Our highly trained and energetic team will provide you and your child with a fun and informative initial exam, and will discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child’s smile.
Come See What’s Possible
Your journey to a better smile starts here.
