Can My Child Get Braces on Their Baby Teeth?

Getting braces is a milestone for many teens once they have all their permanent teeth, but occasionally your orthodontist may recommend that your child’s orthodontic treatment begins before they have lost all their baby teeth. It’s called “Two-Phase Orthodontics” and, and it’s designed to help guide your child’s permanent teeth into better alignment before they emerge.

Here’s everything you need to know about two-phase orthodontics, and why early intervention can make a big difference in your child’s smile!

Why Does My Child Need Phase-One Orthodontics?

Phase-one orthodontics typically begin between the ages of six and nine years old and typically lasts between 6 to 18 months. During this time, your child may be prescribed a palatal expander, headgear, or limited braces and space maintainers. Other signs they may need phase-one treatment include:

• Protruding teeth
• Trouble breathing or speaking
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Teeth that do not come together correctly
• Baby teeth blocking the eruption of adult teeth
• Jaw size disproportionate to the rest of the head

Because your child’s smile and facial structure are still developing, they may not yet display any of these signs but could still need phase one orthodontic interventions.

The Benefits of Phase-One Orthodontics

There are many reasons that your child may benefit from phase-one orthodontics. These include:

• Reduction or elimination of the need for future orthodontic care
• Reduced risk of oral health problems including cavities and damaged teeth
• Reduction of sleep disordered breathing and/or behavioral issues that can occur from sleep difficulties.
• More comfortable treatment during earlier phases of care
• Improvement to facial aesthetics and improved self-confidence

What Comes Next: Phase-Two Orthodontics

Once your child has completed phase-one, they may advance to the second round. This is designed to do the following:

• Move permanent teeth into their desired positions
• Correct minor bite problems
• Continue to improve the function of the teeth and appearance of the face
• Boost your child’s self-esteem

Remember, your child’s orthodontic treatment is designed to complement their growth throughout the many stages of dental development. By treating these problems while they are young, you can often alleviate more severe problems and reduce the need for more invasive procedures later.

About Our Practice

At Serenity Orthodontics it’s our goal to take stress out of your child’s orthodontic care. We know that in some cases, the longer you wait to begin treatment, the longer and more complicated it can be. That’s why we are proud to offer two phase orthodontics. This innovative treatment is great for kids as young as six years old and can often help make future treatment take less time, be less invasive, and of course, cost a lot less money.

If you’d like to learn more about how early orthodontic care can help your child, please schedule a consultation by visiting our website.