What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age 7? When your child’s baby teeth grow in, they may show signs of orthodontic issues down the road. With early orthodontic treatment, you can help your child avoid any future discomfort or dental issues and treat it before it becomes a problem. It’s the best way to prevent extensive orthodontic treatment or costly dental procedures in the future.
Early orthodontic treatment — also known as Phase One treatment and interceptive orthodontic treatment — typically begins between age 7 and 9. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, like underbite or overbite. Early treatment also helps make room and guidance for permanent teeth to grow properly, lessening the chances of extractions or any other serious orthodontic procedure in the future.
Your child may also need Phase Two treatment, which takes place between age 11 and the teenage and adult years, where it becomes general preventative treatment.
Issues Treated With Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment can treat or significantly reduce the impact of a number of orthodontic issues, such as:
- Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Jaw misalignment or growth problems
- Crowding of the teeth
- Too much space between the teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Airway issues or speech problems
- Missing or extra teeth
Some of these problems are naturally caused, while others are caused by behaviors or incidents, like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, injuries to the mouth, or early or late loss of baby teeth.
Is My Child a Candidate for Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Not every child is a candidate for Phase One orthodontic treatment. Some don’t need it at all, while others need to be closely monitored. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should discuss the possibility of early treatment with an orthodontist:
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty chewing and biting
- Speech issues, including lisps
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Protruding or crooked teeth
- Prolonged thumb sucking, usually after age 5
- Large gaps in between teeth or crowded teeth with no space
- Inability to properly close the jaw, or a shifting of the jaw when the mouth is opened or closed
- Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds when the jaw is moved around, opened, or closed
- Teeth that don’t come together properly or even at all
We often use palatal expanders for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment to address early issues related to dental and jaw alignment. They work by gradually widening the upper jaw to create more space for proper tooth positioning and improved bite alignment. Iverson & Wahab Orthodontics are experts in palatal expanders, and we use them to ensure the best oral health and proper facial development for your kid!
Early Orthodontic Treatment Reviews
Dr. Iverson’s is fantastic! All 4 of my kids had orthodontics with him. Their teeth are beautifully straight now. His office is fun, the staff is always friendly and professional. Appointments are convenient to make and the price is right! We love Dr. Iverson.
When you walk in Iverson and Wahab Orthodontics you feel welcomed! With good vibes and beach breeze coming your way! Appliances in your mouth in less than an hour!
Iverson Orthodontics is welcoming and the staff friendly. My kids were nervous initially but quickly put at ease. They also hand out cookies after your appointment, play movies and regularly hold contests which my kids have throughly enjoyed. And, their teeth look great!
I wholeheartedly recommend Iverson and Wahab Orthodontics. Dr. Wahab and her team provided exceptional service. The office maintains a professional and immaculate environment, and I felt genuinely welcomed. I am exceedingly pleased with my experience.
From the moment we walked into Iverson & Wahab Ortho, we felt welcomed.Dr. Wahab was incredible. She is warm, engaging and so thorough in her assessment that I left well informed. She explained everything clearly and kindly. She told us we don’t quite need orthodontics yet. I was honestly sad that we didn’t need to come back right away because I loved her so much!If you’re looking for a team that’s professional, friendly and transparent, this is the place. I’ll be back the minute we’re ready.
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Screen Your Child for the Best Early Orthodontic Treatment
If your child between the ages of 7 and 8 is showing signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our office and our staff would love to schedule an appointment with you.
Our team at Iverson Orthodontics will provide your child with a comfortable, calming experience and initial exam. The findings will be discussed with you, and we can work together to decide on the best next steps for taking care of your child’s smile and answer any questions you might have about early treatment. We’re here to help.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you and your child to our office in Arlington, VA!
