At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have an orthodontic screening by the age of 7. At this age, Dr. Douglas can check for developmental problems and determine if orthodontic treatment should be started early. It may be too late to ideally treat certain problems if a patient is screened for the first time as a teenager. Many dentists in our community are trained to identify orthodontic problems early and may refer you to our office earlier than age 7 if there are concerns.
What is Early (Phase 1) Treatment?
The goal of Early Treatment (Phase 1) during preadolescence is to ensure normal development, prevent more severe problems from occurring, and simplify the next phase of treatment (Phase 2) when all the adult teeth have erupted. Benefits of Early Treatment include:
- creating space for the eruption of adult teeth when space has been lost
- preventing the need for extractions of adult teeth in the future
- reducing the risk of impacted adult teeth
- correcting crossbites or underbites
- guiding the growth of the jaws to correct bite problems
- eliminating habits (finger sucking, tongue positioning) that can hinder normal development
- improving the position of severely flared front teeth to reduce the risk of injury
- helping preserve gum health
How long does Early Treatment take?
Do all children need early treatment?
No. Certain orthodontic problems can be efficiently treated later in adolescence when all of the adult teeth have erupted. Dr. Douglas will never recommend unnecessary treatment and will develop a plan based on each individual’s needs. If there is no need for Early Treatment, the patient will be placed in our Observation Program.
What is the Orthodontic Observation Program?
The Orthodontic Observation Program is used to monitor children who did not require Early Treatment or finished Early Treatment and are not ready for the next phase. Essentially, it is a period of observed waiting for all the adult teeth to erupt. By evaluating every 6-12 months, Dr. Douglas can catch any problems that may arise and intervene if necessary. There is no fee for this program! We want to be there for you and determine the optimum time to begin the next phase of treatment and achieve the best possible result.
Are braces still needed after a child undergoes Early Treatment?
It is possible, but unlikely, that Early Treatment (Phase 1) will prevent the need for braces (Phase 2) during adolescence. During and after Early Treatment, all of the adult teeth are not erupted and typically have to be aligned later in Phase 2 Treatment when a full set of braces are placed. Occasionally, all of the adult teeth will erupt in good alignment with a healthy bite, in which case Dr. Douglas will discuss the option of not using Phase 2 Treatment.
Schedule An Appointment!
Call our office to schedule a complimentary initial consultation, and we will determine whether your child can benefit from early treatment. During the consult, we will discuss all that you need to know and answer all of your questions so you feel comfortable about moving forward with us. We understand that you have a busy schedule, and we will work with you to make sure your experience is as convenient as possible.
