Oral healthcare professionals recommend that every child see an orthodontist by the time they reach the age of 7. With smiles that are continually growing and developing, this makes it easy to identify any problems early on and deliver appropriate treatment before it worsens. But how can you know if your child needs Phase 1 Orthodontics? Read on to discover the criteria that are commonly required to be a candidate for this type of treatment.
Criteria for Phase 1 Orthodontics
When bringing your child in for an orthodontic appointment, you can expect they will be thoroughly evaluated using advanced technology and imaging as well as with a visual examination.
The following are a few reasons your child might be recommended for Phase 1 Orthodontics:
- They have protruding front teeth that are at risk of becoming damaged.
- They have inadequate room in their mouth for permanent teeth to erupt correctly.
- They have poor oral development caused by prolonged non-nutritive habits practiced early on (i.e., thumb-sucking)
- They have difficulty biting and chewing.
- They have poor jawbone position.
How Phase 1 Orthodontics Can Help
No matter the type of orthodontic problem your child is experiencing, treating the issue early on with Phase 1 Orthodontics is essential. Why?
The older a child gets, their permanent teeth begin to fill in and become more integrated with the underlying bone. While traditional braces can be effective in moving teeth and improperly aligned bites, the process can be much more uncomfortable and take longer. This is why many professionals say that adults require more time in regular braces because of how “established” their smiles are once they hit adulthood.
By treating a poorly aligned bite, jaw position, protruding teeth, and more with early orthodontics, the process:
- Helps boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence
- Eliminates poor habits that create problems for their teeth and bite
- Corrects issues associated with mouth breathing and sleep-breathing disorders
- Allows for adequate space when permanent teeth begin to erupt
- Improves their ability to speak clearly
- Makes it possible for your child to eat the foods they love without pain
- Lowers the risk of possible tooth extraction in the future
- Reduces time spent wearing traditional braces should they require Phase 2 Orthodontics later on
Once you learn about the benefits of this type of treatment, it’s hard to dismiss the idea of early orthodontics. By treating your child’s teeth and bite before more serious issues occur, you can help set them up for greater smile success in the future.
About Grand Dental – Lake Zurich
At Grand Dental – Lake Zurich, traditional braces are a common method of treatment for those who require orthodontics. Our orthodontist, Dr. Sam Allen, wants to minimize the potential need for these appliances, though, especially if common dental issues can be treated with Phase 1 Orthodontics. Visit our website or call (847) 443-3953 to learn whether your child is a candidate.