Interceptive orthodontics, also known as Phase One orthodontics, are an option we use to help children with developing misalignment. This can help straighten teeth and guide the growth of their smiles too! In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about our interceptive orthodontics.
Starting Care with an Exam and Consultation
When your child shows signs of developing misalignment, bring him or her in for an appointment. We can see kids as young as age seven, as at this stage there is a mix of primary and permanent teeth, so we can better gauge the risks of poor alignment and bad bite balance. We will examine the smile with digital x-rays so we can assess the cause and severity of misalignment, and the potential risks if the issue remains untreated until their teen years. From there, we can create a treatment plan to begin guiding smile growth!
Space Maintainers
With space maintainers, when a child loses a baby tooth early, we can provide an appliance that is fixed or removable to help keep the area open, so that the permanent teeth have a clear path to erupt and the risk of misalignment is reduced. We will discuss options and choose the best one for your child.
Retainers
We could also recommend retainers to help guide smile growth and limit the onset of misalignment, so your child avoids complications with their oral health and the shape of their smile. This could also benefit facial esthetics too. The retainers can be fixed in place or removable, and we will discuss how to properly care for them.
Continuing Care in the Teen Years
When your kids reach their teen years and the permanent teeth have erupted and properly calcified, we can finish the treatment with braces or even Invisalign® aligners, shifting the teeth into their proper positions. Braces are meant for more severe cases, and Invisalign® aligners can take on more minor cases. Your children can then greet their teen and adult years with an even smile, one that looks good and ensures better oral health and bite function too.
If you have any questions about how we correct uneven smiles with our Phase One orthodontics, or if you would like to schedule a visit for your little one, then reach out to our team today to learn more. We want to help kids of all ages feel confident in their smiles, and avoid poor oral health and bad alignment too.
We Can Help Kids with Misalignment in Shirley, NY
For children as young as age seven, we can start orthodontic care to guide smile growth and boost alignment. To find out more about us, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY at 631.399.1600 today.
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