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Starting orthodontic care for your young child may seem drastic. However, beginning proactive care early in some children can help minimize or even eliminate their need for more extensive treatments in the future. Give your child a lifetime of healthy smiling by receiving an initial consultation.
Early orthodontic treatment, also referred to as “Phase 1 orthodontic treatment” or “interceptive orthodontic treatment”, refers to orthodontic treatment performed between the ages of 7-10. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child's first check-up be at age 7. At this time, your child has enough permanent teeth to allow Dr. Tauber to spot subtle problems with jaw growth patterns, as well as emerging teeth. Early orthodontic treatment is often required if your child has major oral development issues that should be corrected while their mouths are still growing.
The American Academy of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist by age 7.
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Phase 1 orthodontics is particularly important in patients who may have serious jaw problems or a narrow palate. These issues can interfere with the development of a healthy bite. In the future, this could lead to problems when the permanent teeth erupt, speech impediments, premature tooth wear, and lots of other problems. With early interceptive orthodontics, these complex issues can be reduced or eliminated.
Early interceptive orthodontics helps the adult teeth erupt in the proper places, and can reduce or even eliminate the misalignment of adult teeth. This improves your child’s smile and oral health. In some cases, they may not even need braces (phase 2 orthodontics) to straighten their teeth.
Finger or thumb sucking habits and tongue thrust habits can negatively effect the growth of the jaw boness and position of erupting permanent teeth. Proper care from an expert orthodontist can help break these habits and set your child on a path to a more healthy smile in the crucial years that they are growing.
At your child’s initial appointment, photographs and x-rays will be exposed to take measurements of their jaw bones and check eruption of permanent teeth. Dr. Tauber will complete a comprehensive exam and discuss your child’s overall oral health to determine if your child has a need for early orthodontic treatment.
Once your child is approved for treatment, their orthodontist will develop a customized treatment plan. This could include special braces, habit appliances to help with things like thumb-sucking or bad swallow, palate expanders, headgear, and a variety of other treatments. Every child is different, so your orthodontist will discuss their plan with you and schedule all of the necessary follow-ups and checkups.
Early orthodontic treatment typically takes about 12 months, though some patients may have shorter or longer treatment times. During this time, your child will come back to our office for frequent visits. Dr. Tauber will check on their oral health, examine their progress, and make sure everything’s on track. This same process will continue until your child’s treatment is complete.
Early treatment can be in a patient’s best interest if their problem is one that could worsen over time and cause severe dental issues in adulthood if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to recognize and eliminate these problems as early as possible, so a child’s teeth and jaw can properly grow and maintain space for incoming adult teeth.
If your child is showcasing one or more of the following signs & symptoms, they may be a good candidate for early interceptive orthodontic treatment:
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these symptoms before they become severe issues over time.
While many orthodontic problems are inherited, some are caused by common habits over time, such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or excessive pacifier use. Other factors such as mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents, and poor nutrition can alter your child’s teeth and jaw alignment. No matter the cause, our team will cater to your child’s unique needs and teach them healthy habits for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first check-up should take place before the age of 7 or any time an orthodontic issue is noticed before then. By the age of 7, your child’s mouth holds enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to gain a strong understanding of your child’s mouth and jaws as they develop. This provides your orthodontist with plenty of information to give your child a tailored treatment.
The cost of early interceptive orthodontics is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost include the severity of your child’s teeth misalignment, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for your child’s early interceptive orthodontics is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.
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