The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children receive an exam by an orthodontist no later than 7 years old. This helps us identify problems with jaw growth or tooth development that could affect the position of their adult teeth. Also known as interceptive orthodontics, Phase I orthodontic treatment creates space to guide the permanent teeth into a desirable alignment. Using a variety of orthodontic appliances, we could help your child enjoy a straighter smile as they develop into adolescence.
At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we can provide custom treatment to help limit the severity of your young child’s dental misalignment. By taking action today, you can help them prevent major problems from developing in their later years when their jaw is less malleable.
Schedule A Consultation For Your Child
We recommend bringing your child for an examination before the age of 7 to determine if they require Phase I orthodontic treatment. These services are typically performed between the ages of 6 and 9 to help your child’s jaw accommodate adult teeth that will later come in. During their appointment, we will take imagery of their teeth and jaw from different angles to create a digital model of their developing smile. This helps us understand if they require a custom treatment plan to address potential jaw issues.
Performing Phase I Orthodontics
In these young years, your child’s jaw is growing rapidly to adapt to the needs of their incoming teeth. When interceptive orthodontics is necessary, we create custom appliances to help guide the growth of their jaw into a size that can hold their permanent teeth. This helps prevent severe misalignment and reduces the future need for significant corrective work. Common orthodontic therapies include retainers, headgear, space maintainers, and limited braces on specific teeth. Space maintainers hold the position of their jaw if your child loses a baby tooth too early. When creating an appliance, we recommend fixing them in place to your child’s smile to prevent your child from misplacing or breaking them.
The Following Steps
While the first phase of orthodontic treatment completes in early childhood, we perform the second phase during their teen years. This is when we complete orthodontic work to bring their smile into its final position. Once all of your child’s adult teeth come in, we can begin corrective work with braces or Invisalign® clear aligners. By helping your child straighten their smile, they enjoy a more esthetically pleasing grin that promotes healthy oral hygiene.
Talk To Your Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Children’s Orthodontics
An orthodontic exam in early childhood lets you know if your child requires treatment to prepare their jaw for their permanent smile. For more information or to get begin with treatment, please call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, at (631) 399-1600.
Recent Comments