Shirley, NY, dentist offers phase one treatment

Is your child ready to begin the orthodontic process? While this may seem young, you can bring them in for their first visit as early as seven years old. This is a great age to intercept alignment concerns and prevent serious issues in the future. Your Shirley, NY, orthodontist team is here to talk about what to expect during this initial consultation.

Setting A Baseline For Care

Their orthodontic consultation provides an opportunity for the team to get to know your child, examine their smile, and estimate the necessary length of treatment. When they come in for their first visit, the team may ask questions about your child’s medical and dental history, take X-rays of their teeth, and take pictures. This helps set a baseline for starting treatment and is a great way to monitor their progress. We also offer free consultations for second opinions if you are interested. After your first consultation with another practice, we’ll perform a thorough examination and offer our opinion for your treatment process. This can provide additional insight to help ensure that you are getting the right care for your needs.

Discussing Your Treatment Plan

After establishing their dental history and creating a plan, your child’s team may recommend phase one treatments such as expanders, retainers, space maintainers, or more. These options can help reduce the time needed to wear braces. Space maintainers may be necessary if your little one has lost a tooth prematurely. This appliance can leave room for their adult tooth to erupt without shifting their other teeth out of place. Phase one can help ensure that their jaw is fully developed and there is enough space to straighten out their pearly whites. Our office accepts transfer patients. If you need to switch care for any reason, like moving cities or being dissatisfied with your current care, we can help make this process run smoothly. We’ll do our best to ensure that your treatment time is not extended when you make this move.

Starting The Alignment Process

After phase one treatment has been completed, there may be a small resting period before starting braces. During this time, your child may need to wear retainers to keep their teeth in place. When they are ready for braces, their team will explain what to expect during the process and how to maintain their appliances. Traditional braces are most often used for younger patients because they may be easier to care for and are more durable.

If you are an adult seeking orthodontic care, we offer more discreet options like Invisalign and ceramic braces. These methods may help you feel more confident throughout the process. You can discuss your options with your team before getting started.

Schedule Their First Orthodontist Visit Today

Phase one can help prepare your child for braces. To schedule a consultation, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatrics in Shirley, NY, today at 631.399.1600.