Early Orthodontic Treatment
Tucson, AZ
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Younger children sometimes show signs of an orthodontic issue. It is important to consider possible orthodontic options for smaller patients. Phase 1 orthodontics are early orthodontics treatment options for juveniles who do not have their permanent adult teeth yet.
Early orthodontics are available at Simply Smiles Dentistry in Tucson and the surrounding area. The providers at our office can evaluate young children for potential orthodontic issues. Early intervention may benefit children who may have complex bite or orthodontic issues and prevent more extensive dental treatments later on.
Child orthodontics treatment may require a two-phased approach, starting as early as age 7 to correct some issues. Our team can help you determine if your child needs early orthodontic treatment. Call us at (520) 368-3351 to find out if your child should be evaluated for early orthodontics treatment.
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Early Orthodontic Problems and Their Causes
When children still have their baby teeth, they may show signs of needing early orthodontic interventions to correct certain problems. Children with extra teeth or exceptionally crowded teeth may be candidates for early treatment. Teeth that are excessively spaced out may also be a sign that early orthodontics could be beneficial.
Besides the spacing and positioning of the teeth, early orthodontics may also benefit children with bite problems. An underbite, where the lower teeth jut out further from the upper teeth, and a crossbite, where the jaw appears to shift to the side, may be successfully treated with early orthodontics. Genetics is the most common reason why a young child may have a bite problem, but some of these problems may be linked to thumb-sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or bottle use.
“When children still have their baby teeth, they may show signs of needing early orthodontic interventions to correct certain problems.”
Phase 1 of Treatment
During phase 1 treatment, the orthodontist may use a variety of dental appliances to help align the patient’s teeth. Phase 1 treatment usually occurs when the child still has their baby teeth. There are also some early orthodontics treatments that use braces during phase 1.
The orthodontist may use space maintainers or spacers to help space out crowded teeth. Expanders are also used during some phase 1 treatment plans to help gently expand the palate. Phase 1 treatment may also consist of appliances such as headgear, retainers, and braces to guide the jawbone and permanent teeth growth into a better position.
“Phase 1 treatment may also consist of appliances such as headgear, retainers, and braces to guide the jawbone and permanent teeth growth into a better position.”
Treatment Timeline
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should see an orthodontist by age 7. Phase 1 orthodontics typically begins around age 6 and up to age 9. This treatment phase may last between nine and 18 months, depending on the severity and specifics of the child’s bite or teeth alignment problems.
“This treatment phase may last between nine and 18 months, depending on the severity and specifics of the child’s bite or teeth alignment problems.”
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Moving Onto Phase 2 of Treatment
After completing phase 1, the next step is phase 2 orthodontic treatment. Simply Smiles Dentistry carefully evaluates each patient’s progress during phase 1 before transitioning to the next step. Here is what happens during phase 2 of an early orthodontic treatment plan:
- Resting. Some patients may need to enter a resting phase before starting phase 2. During this step, the patient may need to only wear a retainer and have monitoring appointments. When the teeth are in the resting stage, the orthodontist will not place new dental appliances or braces.
- Straightening. Then, the child is ready for braces. Our staff places the wires, bands, and brackets onto the child’s teeth during an appointment. This stage may take between 12 and 24 months.
- Monitoring. Throughout the phase 2 treatment, the patient must come in for regular monitoring appointments. During an appointment, the dental provider will check the patient’s progress and may make adjustments. Once treatment is done, the orthodontist may recommend wearing a retainer to keep the teeth in alignment.
“Some patients may need to enter a resting phase before starting phase 2.”
When To Postpone Treatment Until Phase 2
While a two-phased approach to orthodontics can benefit many cases, some patients may be fine skipping phase 1. If the child has already lost most of their baby teeth, it may be better to opt for phase 2 treatment only. Additionally, there are some patients with minor problems that may not need extensive phase 1 intervention.
“If the child has already lost most of their baby teeth, it may be better to opt for phase 2 treatment only.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. Why is age 7 the magic number for child orthodontics?
A. At age 6 or 7, children still have most of their baby teeth. According to the American Dental Association, most children this age also have their permanent two front teeth and first adult molars. These adult teeth are key in determining a child’s bite and evaluating their teeth alignment.
Q. How often should children go to appointments for an early orthodontics treatment plan?
A. During the phase 1 treatment stage, children may have to come to the office for appointments every four to eight weeks. These regular monitoring appointments are necessary to check progress. After the child transitions to phase 2, there will still be a need to attend regular monitoring and adjustment appointments.
Q. How is an expander used in phase 1 orthodontics?
A. An expander is a dental appliance used in orthodontic treatment to enlarge the palate structure. This helps make more room for the adult teeth and phase 2 treatment. Children may be fitted with upper or lower palate expanders in their mouth for a series of weeks or months.
Q. What are spacers during early orthodontics?
A. Some patients may need spacers during the first few months of early orthodontics treatment. Spacers are small bands that are placed between the teeth to help open up the space for future dental appliances. Rubber spacers may be worn for a week or two, and metal spacers for longer.
Q. What are some post-procedure care steps for early orthodontics?
A. Since early orthodontic treatment is a multi-stage process, there may be several instances of post-procedure care. After children get an expander, dental appliance, or braces, there may be a period of time with some minor discomfort. The orthodontist may also provide instructions about temporary diet modifications a few hours after treatment.
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Dental Terminology
Dentition
Dentition refers to the way the teeth are arranged in the mouth.
Teeth Crowding
Teeth crowding is a lack of space in the mouth for all of the teeth to grow properly, leading to the need to extract some of the teeth.
Primary Teeth
Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are a patient’s first set of teeth.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the specialty branch of dentistry that deals with preventing and correcting teeth and jaw irregularities.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
Underbite
An underbite is a malocclusion that occurs when the lower jaw and front teeth sit beyond the upper front teeth.
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the specialty branch of dentistry that focuses exclusively on children.
Overbite
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Phase 1 Orthodontics
Phase 1 orthodontics is orthodontic treatment that is performed before the permanent teeth have erupted.
Permanent Teeth
The permanent teeth are the second set of teeth that emerge after the patient has shed their baby teeth.
Call Us To Find Out More
To get your child evaluated for possible early orthodontics treatment, call us today at 520-368-3351. Not every child is a candidate for a two-phased treatment, and only an orthodontist can determine the proper course of action. In Tucson we provide complete orthodontic services for all phases of treatment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2023
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2023
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2023
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- Simply Smiles Dentistry was established in 2013.
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