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• For Children, Teens and Adults
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• Orthodontic FAQ

Early Prevention

Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment for Children

Is there a difference between regular orthodontic treatment and early orthodontic treatment? Will my child need early orthodontic treatment? In the long run, will early treatment benefit my child?

Above are the some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the subject of early orthodontic treatment in children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children as young as seven should see an orthodontist to ensure that any potential growth or bite problems are mitigated. The orthodontist reviewing your child will be able to determine if they need early treatment at this initial visit.

Early treatment (also called Phase-One) generally begins when a child is around age eight or nine (Phase-Two treatment begins around age eleven and up). The goal of early treatment is to correct certain bite problems such as under bite or to correct the growth of the jaw. Early treatment can have many positive results for your child. Our doctors often avoid early treatment unless it is needed for jaw alignment or dental health at an early age.

How to determine if early orthodontic treatment is needed for your child:

• Early or delayed loss of primary teeth (Age five is when your child should typically start losing their primary teeth, and should have all of their adult teeth around age thirteen)
• Trouble incising and/or chewing
• Mouth breathing
• Thumb sucking after the age of five
• Teeth that don't come together at all or in a normal manner
• Speech impediments
• Front teeth that are crowded around age seven or eight
• Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
• Presence of cross bites (jaw shifting when your child's mouth opens and closes)

Will early interception benefit my child? What causes orthodontic issues?

Orthodontic issues such as too much space between the teeth, crowding of the teeth, jaw growth problems, misaligned bites, and protruding teeth are often genetic. These issues can also be caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of primary teeth, or even habits such as thumb sucking.

By the end of children's teen years, their jawbones will stop growing and eventually harden. After this time, orthodontic corrections for adults often take considerably longer to treat and may involve extractions of permanent teeth or the possibility of oral surgery. The most ideal correction can be made during a child's growth spurt. Orthodontics during this time can leverage and redirect growth for the best correction possible. Our practice is very conservative relative to early treatment. Our doctors only recommend early treatment if the treatment plan will help a long term prognosis. Research shows that early treatment is typically not a "need". Let our orthodontists evaluate your child knowing that we have your time, money, and best interests at the forefront of our minds.

If you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist or if you have a child showing any signs of needing orthodontic care (see the above list), please contact our practice and schedule an appointment. Our office staff will provide you and your child with a complimentary initial exam, and talk about the best steps to take toward caring for your child's smile.