Phase One Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is often thought of as something that happens during the teenage years, but many children benefit from treatment at a younger age. Early orthodontic treatment, or Phase 1 treatment, involves assessing and addressing dental issues before they become more serious problems. This type of treatment can be especially helpful in guiding the development of a child’s mouth and jaw. We offer early orthodontic care as part of our orthodontic services.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic visit by age 7. The first adult molars typically begin to come in at this age, and the orthodontist can assess whether any dental or jaw issues are developing. While your child may not need braces at this early stage, an orthodontist can identify early signs of problems such as crooked teeth, bite issues, or jaw misalignment.
What Are the Benefits of Early Treatment?
There are several reasons why early orthodontic treatment can be beneficial for children.
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Correcting Bite Issues
Some children have bite problems like overbites, underbites, or crossbites, which can lead to difficulties with chewing, speaking, and breathing. These problems can also cause wear on teeth, jaw pain, and trouble with tooth eruption. Early treatment can help correct these bite problems, guiding the development of the teeth and jaw to ensure they align properly as the child grows. -
Creating Space for Permanent Teeth
If a child’s baby teeth don’t fall out at the right time, it can cause crowding and make it harder for permanent teeth to come in properly. Early orthodontic treatment can create space for adult teeth to come in correctly. This may involve removing certain baby teeth or using appliances like expanders to widen the jaw and make room for the new teeth. -
Reducing the Need for Future Treatment
Addressing issues early can often reduce the severity of problems later on. For example, early treatment might help avoid the need for extractions or more complicated procedures like jaw surgery in the future. By correcting dental and jaw issues while the child is still growing, the orthodontist can more easily guide the development of the teeth and jaws. This often leads to shorter and less expensive treatment down the road. -
Improving Self-Confidence
While orthodontic treatment at an early age focuses mostly on dental health, it can also help improve a child’s confidence. Some children may feel self-conscious about their appearance if their teeth are crooked or have visible bite issues. Early treatment can help straighten teeth and improve the smile’s overall appearance, giving kids more confidence in social situations and at school.
What Happens After Early Treatment?
Once Phase 1 treatment is complete, the orthodontist will likely monitor your child’s progress. In some cases, additional treatment may be needed later on as the child’s adult teeth continue to come in. Phase 2 treatment, which typically starts during the teen years, is often required to finalize the alignment of the teeth and jaw.
Phase 2 treatment usually involves traditional braces or clear aligners to make final adjustments to the teeth. However, because of the early treatment, this phase is often shorter and less involved than it would have been if the issues had not been addressed during childhood.
Meet the new Invisalign Palatal Expander System. Make room for adult teeth in kids 6-11 with an expander that is:
- Less painful than traditional palatal expanders1
- Clinically proven to be safe and effective2
- A revolutionary new design with no metal screw
Invisalign Palatal Expander vs. Traditional Expander
First introduced in the 1950s, traditional palatal expanders work by inserting a tiny key into a center hole and cranking the appliance wider daily. The process is difficult and stressful for kids and parents, so they created a better way. The Invisalign Palatal Expander is less painful than the traditional method but just as effective. It’s the only FDA-approved removable option as effective as traditional expanders.
The Invisalign Palatal Expander System uses a series of 3D-printed expanders that gradually widen to create space for adult teeth. It gives kids the orthodontic care they need without you having to manually crank open the expander every day. That means fewer tears, less anxiety, and a more positive overall experience.
Why Choose the Invisalign Palatal Expander?
Dr. Garlington was involved in the original pilot study for the Invisalign Palatal Expander and played a huge role in developing this new, innovative technology.
- Say goodbye to daily screw turning
- Clinically proven to be safe and effective
- Removal for better hygiene
- Kid-Friendly! Easy to use for kids and parents
- No food restrictions
- Fewer emergency visits