Not every child will need early orthodontic treatment, but many children benefit from it!
At Senties Family Orthodontics, early or phase 1 treatment will only be recommended to you (the parents) if it’s necessary for your child. Meaning, treatment now will significantly improve your child’s quality of life and/or prevent further complications with bite or teeth misalignment.
What does that mean? Phase 1 treatment provides a golden opportunity to correct poor orthodontic conditions while working alongside your child’s natural growth and development. It also helps reduce the risk of crowded teeth, gaps, and crooked teeth arising later in life.
Still unsure if phase 1 is right for your child? Hey, we get it! It’s important to understand the complete picture of orthodontics for kids, that way you can ensure it’s the right choice for your child.
So let’s chat all about early orthodontic treatment and its pros and cons.
First of all…what is early orthodontic treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment or phase 1 orthodontic treatment occurs during the mixed dentition phase – when your child still has baby teeth present but their adult teeth have started to erupt. (This is usually between ages of 6 and 9.) In fact, the AAO recommends all children receive an orthodontic evaluation at age 7.
Phase 1 treatment is designed to help children who still possess many of their primary teeth but have or are at risk of developing poor orthodontic conditions, like misalignment or improper growth of their permanent teeth or their jaws.
Sometimes it’s a lot more efficient to address bite-related problems or to realign the jaw when your child’s skeletal structure is still growing and pliable. This way allows Dr. Senties to ensure that there is enough room in your child’s jaw for their permanent teeth to develop in a healthy alignment.
If early orthodontic treatment is recommended for your child, their treatment may include an orthodontic appliance (such as palatal expanders or headgear) along with their braces. This dual-treatment is very common because it allows your orthodontist to fix multiple orthodontic conditions at the same time, giving your child less time in braces!
Phase 1 treatments can also be used in conjunction with Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Senties uses these methods to guide the growth of your child’s jaw and facial bones. Not only do permanent teeth have room to grow, but their facial appearance will be harmonious and proportionate.
What conditions can be fixed with early ortho treatment?
Dr. Senties may recommend treatment for a child who is experiencing any of the following issues:
- Spaced teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Overbites
- Missing or extra teeth
- Teeth that don’t meet normally, or at all
- When thumb sucking has influenced the normal growth of teeth or jaw
- Extreme protruding teeth
- Not enough space for the proper eruption of permanent teeth at the right time
- Facial asymmetry caused by a crooked jaw
- Prevent the early loss of baby teeth that allows erupting teeth to come through at the wrong time
The fact is, nearly all orthodontic conditions that are found early on can be treated effectively and efficiently with early orthodontic treatment.
Early Orthodontic Treatment Pros and Cons
It’s only natural for you as a parent to have some concerns about any type of treatment for your child. After all, orthodontics is the art of tooth movement and you may be thinking it’s just an expensive cosmetic procedure. Or that baby teeth are destined to fall out, so early treatment may seem like an unnecessary expense.
Contrary to popular belief, neglecting early treatment can actually result in higher treatment costs in future as your child may require a longer treatment period or a surgical treatment. It also means accepting the discomfort that comes with their condition. Much like an unmanaged disease, orthodontic conditions will only progress without treatment – causing oral discomfort, jaw pain, and more.
So let’s go over the pros and cons of receiving early orthodontic treatment.
Pros of Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Reduces the risk of tooth decay. Teeth in healthy alignment are easy to brush and floss! They also don’t provide extra hiding places for food particles to hide and fester.
- Improves digestion. Teeth and jawbones in alignment allow your child to easily chew their food into smaller pieces – the ideal size for proper digestion!
- Corrects bad mouth habits. Thumb-sucking past age 4 can lead to complex orthodontic conditions such as open bite or a narrow palate. Early orthodontic treatment with an orthodontic appliance, braces, or both can quickly correct the damage from these mouth habits and help stop them!
- Improves speech. Many parents think their child’s lisp or trouble pronouncing ‘S’ and ‘T’s stem from their age. But sometimes a teeth or jaw misalignment is the culprit!
- Reduces the risk of trauma (from protruding teeth). Around 6 or 7, many children are ready physically and mentally for sports. But if your child has an overbite, their risk of dental injury increases by 30%!
- Shorter treatment length. The average orthodontic early-treatment time for kids is about 10 to 15 months. Whether Dr. Senties recommends braces, an appliance, or both for your child, their soft bones and short roots make aligning their teeth and jaw fast and efficient.
- Improved self-esteem! Children with severe orthodontic conditions such as overbite or underbite are often bullied because of their condition, causing them distress, anxiety, or embarrassment. But orthodontic treatment has been shown to increase confidence and quality of life!
Cons of Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Extra diligence is required. Parents often struggle with ensuring younger children are keeping up with their dental hygiene.
- Your child must be dedicated to a strong oral hygiene routine. Your child will need to brush their teeth and gums after every meal and floss once a day.
Despite the little bit of extra work for you and your child, the rewards of early orthodontic treatments when they are needed are worth the effort! You may even find that their smile journey has taught them a great deal of responsibility and pride in your joint accomplishments.
Want to know more about early ortho treatment?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in San Antonio, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
