What is the difference between early orthodontic treatment and regular orthodontic treatment, and why might my child need early treatment? How will early treatment benefit my child in the long run?
These are just a few of the questions surrounding the topic of early orthodontic treatment for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point the your dental team will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine where comprehensive treatemtn (or Phase Two) begins once all of the permanent teeth erupt. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite or narrow bite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extensive treatments or extractions in the future.
What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early treatment benefit my child?
Orthodontic concerns can develop for many reasons. Some are inherited, while others may be related to how your child’s teeth and jaws grow and develop. Crowding, spacing, crossbites, protruding teeth, early or delayed loss of baby teeth, and habits such as thumb or finger sucking can all affect the way the permanent teeth and bite develop.
Early interceptive orthodontics allows us to address certain concerns while your child is still growing and before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. When appropriate, early treatment can help create space for developing permanent teeth, improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, correct certain bite problems, and guide dental development as your child grows.
Not every orthodontic concern needs to be treated early. In many cases, the best approach is simply to monitor growth and wait until your child is ready for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Our goal is to identify the right timing for your child and recommend early treatment only when there is a clear benefit.
At Children’s Dental Care & Orthodontics, an orthodontic screening is part of every routine dental visit. Because we see children regularly throughout their growth and development, we can identify changes early and let you know if your child may benefit from interceptive orthodontic treatment—or if continued monitoring is all that is needed.