At Calm Dental Studio in Delaware, OH, we believe that a strong foundation is the key to a lifetime of healthy smiles. Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase I orthodontics, is a proactive approach to a child’s dental health, focusing on guiding jaw growth and creating a proper environment for permanent teeth to erupt. Serving the Delaware, Lewis Center, Powell, and Marion communities, Dr. Alla and our compassionate team offer expert care to help your child avoid more complex and lengthy orthodontic issues in the future.
Early orthodontic treatment is an interceptive approach typically performed on children between the ages of 7 and 10, when they still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. Unlike comprehensive treatment, the goal of Phase I is not to completely straighten the teeth, but rather to address and correct developmental problems with the jaws and bite. By treating these issues early, we can prevent them from becoming more severe and complex as your child grows.
Addressing orthodontic issues at a young age offers a number of significant benefits for your child’s dental development and overall health:
Early treatment can correct issues with jaw development, such as underbites or crossbites, which can be difficult to fix once a child's jaw has fully matured.
You can easily remove your aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss. This means there are no food restrictions and maintaining your oral hygiene is simple.
Phase I treatment can make a child's eventual comprehensive orthodontic treatment (Phase II) shorter, more effective, and less complex.
Protruding front teeth are more susceptible to injury. Early intervention can help to align them, protecting them from accidental damage.
Correcting a child's smile early can have a positive impact on their self-esteem and confidence.
Beginning your child's journey to a healthy smile is a simple and positive process. Here’s what you can expect:
Dr. Alla will perform a thorough examination, including digital X-rays, to assess your child’s oral development and determine if early treatment is necessary.
If Phase I is recommended, a personalized treatment plan will be developed. This may involve appliances like a palate expander or a few partial braces, depending on your child's needs.
Your child’s custom-made appliance will be gently placed, and our team will provide you and your child with detailed instructions on how to care for it.
After Phase I is complete, your child will enter a "resting period" where we will monitor their smile as the remaining permanent teeth erupt, ensuring the results of the treatment are maintained.
Have questions about giving your child the best start for a healthy smile? Here are some common inquiries we receive at Calm Dental Studio:
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This allows Dr. Alla to identify any developing problems early, even if they don't need immediate treatment.
Phase I treatment focuses on jaw and bite development while a child still has some baby teeth. Phase II is comprehensive treatment, usually with braces, that occurs in the teenage years once most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
Phase I treatment typically lasts between 6 and 18 months, depending on the individual needs of the child. After treatment, there is often a resting period before any potential Phase II treatment.
In many cases, Phase I treatment reduces the need for more complex treatment later on. However, many children will still need Phase II treatment (braces or aligners) in their teenage years to fine-tune their smile.
Parents should look for early loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing, mouth breathing, or front teeth that don't meet properly. Dr. Alla can determine the need for treatment during their first visit.
Many dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for early orthodontic treatment. We will help you understand your insurance benefits and provide a transparent cost estimate during your child's consultation.
Parents play a vital role in ensuring the success of early orthodontic treatment. Follow these guidelines to help your child maintain a healthy mouth:
You should consider an early orthodontic consultation if your child has:
The best way to determine if your child could benefit from early orthodontic treatment is to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Alla at Calm Dental Studio. We will carefully assess their oral development and create a plan to help them achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
Ready to Give Your Child the Best Start?
If you are a parent in Delaware, OH, or the surrounding communities, and are curious about your child's orthodontic needs, contact Calm Dental Studio today. Book online or call us at (740) 513-4909 to schedule their first orthodontic visit.
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