Watching your child’s smile develop over time can be exciting. With each wiggly tooth that falls out, they’re left with adorable gaps until their permanent teeth erupt and fill in each slot. During this process, though, you may discover that your child’s smile doesn’t align quite like it should, and their bite appears “off.” As concerning as this situation can be, there is a way to get ahead of the problem – Phase One Orthodontics. Read on to discover how braces during this early stage in life can help mitigate lengthier treatment in the future while also improving their oral and facial development over time.
What is Phase One Orthodontics?
Phase One Orthodontics is a unique form of treatment that is designed for young patients who have both primary and permanent teeth. During this transitional stage of oral growth, a child’s bite can become misaligned, they can experience spacing between teeth, or they might even have issues with facial development related to non-nutritive habits (i.e., thumb-sucking).
Using orthodontic appliances, these issues can be addressed early on so that a child does not experience more problems later on that might otherwise require additional treatment or invasive surgery.
How Does Phase One Orthodontics Work?
When a child is between the ages of six and ten, a pediatric dentist may recommend Phase One Orthodontics if any of the following are found:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open Bite
- Gapped teeth
- Overcrowding
- Teeth that Flare Upward
- Issues Associated with Thumb-Sucking or Pacifier Use (i.e., narrow palate, etc.)
With the help of various orthodontic appliances, including palate expanders, space maintainers, headgear, customized retainers, and yes, braces, we can address these problematic developments prematurely.
Many parents worry that placing braces on baby teeth will damage the permanent ones underneath; however, as long as a child’s pediatric dentist plans for a slow and steady process, the teeth will move safely in the right direction.
What Are the Benefits of Phase One Orthodontics?
It might seem as if wearing braces at a young age is futile since teeth are still falling out; however, the choice to pursue this type of treatment for a child can be beneficial in the long run. Here’s how:
- They can enjoy a corrected bite that allows for improved oral function and decreases the amount of pressure being placed on certain teeth, which can result in jaw pain and worn-down tooth enamel.
- Braces help to close gaps between teeth and effectively reduce the chances of gum disease and tooth decay.
- A child can begin to speak clearly after undergoing treatment – something that will help to improve their self-esteem.
- Overcrowded teeth will finally have the added space needed for permanent teeth to erupt correctly.
- It lowers the risk of a child needing tooth extraction in the future as well as oral surgery to fix a bite or jaw alignment issue.
- The first phase of treatment can reduce the amount of time the child spends wearing braces in the future.
If your child’s growing smile could use an examination by a trusted pediatric dentist, do not wait. Starting orthodontic treatment early on can minimize the potential for more timely and stressful procedures in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Margaret Santiago is a pediatric dentist who believes children deserve the same high-quality dental care as adults. Earning her DDS at Northwestern University in Chicago, she completed her pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Working alongside Dr. Amy Brandon, the two provide Phase One Orthodontics to young patients who need help with bite misalignment and other similar orthodontic problems. If you think your child might benefit from this service, contact us at (925) 425-9292.