Shirley, NY dentist offers phase one treatment before braces

Before your child can begin wearing braces, a pretreatment step known as Phase One will be necessary. This may include the initial consultation, treatments to help guide the growth of the jaw, and discussion of the treatment plan. Your Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatrics in NY offers regular checkups and orthodontic services, so you will not need to be referred elsewhere for their smile alignment service. In today’s blog, we will explore the steps necessary for phase one.

Your Initial Consultation

You can bring your little one in for their first orthodontic visit around the age of seven. Although this may seem young, this is when signs of jaw problems can begin to show. And, around this point, many of their baby teeth will be making way for their permanent set. During this visit, X-rays will be taken to get a closer look at their oral cavity. These will be used later to create an effective treatment plan once they have their braces. If any concerns are noticed, such as concerns about the growth of their jaw or premature tooth loss, extra treatments can be done to correct these problems. These extra steps help shorten the orthodontic process later. Helpful tools such as space maintainers can be used to prevent other teeth from growing where a tooth has been lost too early.

Creating The Treatment Plan

Each patient’s needs are different, so treatment plans will vary for each person. The X-rays taken during the consultation will help develop the timeline for their orthodontic treatment. During this time, the team will also review your insurance and discuss payment plan options with you. This helps ensure that you understand what the process will include.

If you have had a consultation done elsewhere but would like a second opinion, we offer free consultations for that as well. Straightening your smile is an investment, so it is important that you are satisfied with your potential treatment plan. We will examine your oral cavity, take X-rays, and discuss what the process would be like in our office. If this is similar to your original diagnosis, it can help give you ease of mind. If the process discussed is different, then you can decide which option seems best to you.

Beginning Phase Two

After phase one is complete, there will be a resting phase, and then the next one can begin. This is when your little one will start wearing braces. Traditionally, metal braces are offered as standard. However, there is also the option of ceramic ones. These are less visible but will require more attention, so they are often recommended for teenage or adult patients.

Schedule Their First Orthodontic Visit Today

Talk to our team at Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatrics at 631.399.1600 to schedule an orthodontic consultation or checkup.