An Early Start: Signs That Your Child May Need Phase 1 Orthodontics

While people generally associate braces with teenagers, many younger children can significantly benefit from phase 1 orthodontic treatment. Also called interceptive orthodontics, phase 1 treatment involves fitting a child with braces before all their adult teeth have emerged. Here’s a brief guide to why this can be necessary as well as a few signs that your child may be able to significantly benefit from receiving braces sooner.

How Does Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment Work?

Phase 1 orthodontic treatments usually focus on correcting one particular oral health problem, and while they usually last about twelve months, they can be as brief as six or as long as eighteen. Treatment may involve placing limited braces on a few teeth or a full orthodontic device across a whole arch, and it may require the removal of a few baby teeth. Some patients will require appliances such as orthodontic headgear, a palate expander, or a device designed to prevent thumb sucking.

What Makes Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?

Your orthodontist may recommend orthodontic treatment for your young child for a variety of reasons such as:

• Correcting the position of the jaw
• Realigning the dental arch
• Guiding the jawbone to make room for new teeth
• Addressing improper development resulting from bad habits like thumb sucking
• Protecting the front teeth from damage
• Improving how the teeth function when biting and chewing
• Bolstering the patient’s appearance and self-esteem

Is Early Orthodontics a Good Fit for My Child?

While some parents can easily tell that their kids will need orthodontic treatment in the future, only a qualified orthodontist can determine if phase 1 treatment is the appropriate course of action. Children with issues such as overbites, open bites, crossbite, crowding, gaps, or missing or misplaced teeth may be excellent candidates for phase 1 orthodontics. Though it might seem strange to correct the positions of teeth that are going to fall out soon anyway, addressing alignment issues early can help the adult teeth grow more easily into their proper positions.

In some cases, a child who received phase 1 orthodontic treatment may still need to wear braces in their teen years. However, early treatment can set the stage for a child to enjoy a lifetime with beautiful and healthy teeth.

About the Practice

Serenity Orthodontics straightens the smiles of patients of all ages from six locations in Cumming, Braselton, Roswell, Jonesboro, and Suwanee. Led by Drs. Susan Podray-Donovan, Kylie Lewis, and Karolina Grochowska, the staff ensures that patients enjoy utmost courtesy and effective treatments in a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include traditional braces, clear aligners, and phase 1 orthodontic treatments. If you are concerned that your child may need to start braces early, contact the practice online.