Early Intervention Orthodontics (Phase I Treatment)
At Dentistry By The Bay we take a comprehensive approach to examining the smile and bite from a young age. Orthodontic treatment is not only to improve esthetics, but also to provide a healthy foundation for proper functioning of the teeth and jaws.
Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic assessment by the age of 7? At Dentistry By The Bay we recommend that every child is assessed by age 7 to detect any issues that may be present. At this stage, your child will have a combination of their baby and adult teeth. Early evaluation does not necessarily mean that they will have early treatment. At your child’s orthodontic assessment, you may be informed that no intervention is needed at this time, or if Dr. Weaver has any concerns, she will discuss the best treatment options for your child.
Why not wait until they have all their adult teeth in?
There are plenty of kids who do not require early treatment. This is why for many patients Dr. Weaver may recommend waiting until around age 12 when all the permanent teeth are present. That being said, there are particular issues that are best corrected at a young age to prevent more serious issues from developing.
What issues benefit from early intervention orthodontics?
Some common reasons a child may be recommended early treatment are:
- Crowded or blocked out teeth
- Crossbites
- Narrow upper jaw
- Thumb or finger sucking habits
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Habitual mouth breathing
- Poor self esteem
- Protruding teeth that increase the risk of dental trauma
- Jaws that are too far forward or too far back
- Difficulty chewing or biting
There are various different treatment options for early intervention depending on the issue to be corrected. Some of the most common treatment options for early intervention are
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw (which also helps widen the floor of the nose!)
- Partial braces
- Space maintainers
- Habit breaking appliances (i.e. to discourage thumb sucking)
- Myofunctional therapy
Early intervention usually lasts around 1 year which is followed by a resting phase during which time the rest of the adult teeth erupt. It is important to know that we call it phase I treatment as it is commonly followed by phase II treatment (comprehensive treatment) around age 12 when all the permanent teeth are present. Phase I treatment allows us to correct some important issues that are time-sensitive, but in many cases does not negate the need for phase II comprehensive treatment once all the adult teeth are present.
Schedule your child's orthodontic assessment today
At Dentistry By The Bay, Dr. Weaver will perform a comprehensive exam and use the latest technology including a digital scanner to assess your child's smile and determine if there are any issues that should be addressed with early intervention orthodontics. You may find out that everything is looking good and developing properly, or Dr. Weaver may raise some concerns and explain why early treatment is right for your child. To learn more, contact us today to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Weaver.
