Once your child reaches the age of 7, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. This is an ideal time because of the mix of primary and permanent teeth your child will likely have. A professional can examine their smile and determine if any potential issues may be putting them at risk for more complex care in the future. If so, Phase One Orthodontics may be recommended. Find out what makes a child a good candidate for treatment and whether your little one might benefit.
What is Phase One Orthodontics?
Phase One Orthodontics is a process that involves addressing one major problem in your child’s mouth (i.e., bite misalignment, tooth spacing, etc.).
The choice to begin early intervention allows an orthodontist to address a significant dental issue so that the chances of extensive treatment later on are reduced. It may require that your child wear a palate expander, braces, or even headgear to achieve effective results.
How Can I Tell If My Child Needs Early Orthodontics?
When bringing your child in for an orthodontic exam, there is a good chance the professional will be able to identify the issue and make the appropriate treatment recommendations. However, there are ways to determine whether Phase One Orthodontics may be something to talk to your child’s dentist about beforehand. A few of the reasons might be:
- To improve their jaw position or dental arch
- To reduce potential damage to front teeth that may be protruding
- To promote better self-esteem in their appearance
- To make eating and speaking easier and less uncomfortable
- To address poor oral development that is the result of non-nutritive habits
- To encourage proper bone development so that permanent teeth can erupt without issues
What Are the Benefits of Phase One Orthodontics?
Early orthodontics may seem unnecessary to some parents, especially since primary teeth must eventually fall out. However, the reality is that taking care of a serious problem now will only improve your child’s chances of enjoying a healthier smile in the future.
Some of the greatest benefits that can come from this type of treatment include:
- Better breathing at night
- Clearer speech
- Less time spent in full braces later on
- Additional space so that teeth can erupt and move into place
- Greater oral hygiene because teeth and gums can be properly cleaned
- Improved comfort when eating and chewing foods
- Reduced risk of possible tooth extraction
- Eliminating harmful, non-nutritive habits that cause poor oral and facial development
- A more perfectly aligned bite
- Appropriate spacing between teeth
Phase One Orthodontics can be a great investment in your child’s oral health. By taking the necessary steps early on, you can expect your little one to experience a healthier and happier smile as they get older.
About Grand Dental – Sycamore
At Grand Dental – Sycamore, we believe young smiles deserve exceptional treatment. This is why we encourage orthodontic examinations once they reach the age of 7. This enables our orthodontist, Dr. Sam Allen, to determine if Phase One Orthodontics is necessary to avoid more complex treatment later on. As a skilled professional, he can make appropriate recommendations so that your child’s smile has the best chance to thrive going forward. Visit our website to learn more about early orthodontics and how it can help your little one.