How Phase 1 Orthodontics Can Prevent More Serious Future Problems

Phase 1 orthodontics will help prevent early developing bite issues from further impacting a child's dental and skeletal development, or turning into something worse.  Early interceptive orthodontics or Phase I treatment can be critical for fixing issues such as major bite discrepancies, severe crowding, crossbites, narrow palates and more.  For children in need of palatal expansion, there is a critical window of time between 7-9 years of age when expansion is much more attainable than at an older age, as a child's jaw and facial structures are more malleable and easier to manipulate at this stage.  

Minor orthodontic issues such as a child not having adequate space for their permanent teeth can turn into more severe issues later in a child's life. Phase 1 Orthodontics will solve these issues before they cause more significant problems.

Preventing future bite issues with Phase 1 Orthodontics

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends bringing children in for their first complimentary consultation by the age of seven. Their bite should be mostly developed at this time, so Anchored Orthodontics can spot any developing issues. In addition to the previously mentioned issues such as major bite discrepancies, severe crowding, crossbites, and narrow palates, additional issues that can be detected at this stage include:

• Poor placement of teeth
• Unnatural gaps between teeth
• Misaligned or crowded teeth
• Poor jaw development
• Teeth that failed to erupt

A child's bite assessment usually involves Dr. Molly McMahon visually inspecting the patient's mouth, looking for visible problems. A panoramic x-ray and a digital scan of the mouth are often used to view the internal structures of the child's teeth and gums. Appropriate treatments are recommended if Dr. McMahon notices any abnormalities in the child's bite.  All consultations at Anchored Orthodontics are completely complimentary! 

Some of the treatments that might be recommended for a phase 1 treatment include:

• Palatal expansion: Palate expanders are used to apply continuous pressure on a child's palate by fastening it to the roof of their mouth. An expander will widen the palate, creating more space for the child's adult teeth to erupt, and creating a broad and beautiful smile. The expanders used at Anchored Orthodontics are 3D printed to the patient's mouth, are painless to install, and are very quick to fit on a cooperative patient.
• Headgear: These appliances help promote proper jaw alignment and growth and can help correct a child's bite. The appliance is worn partly outside the mouth, and it is usually reserved for the most severe bite issues (large overjets or even underbites). Orthodontists typically recommend wearing headgear for about 12 hours daily, and it can be worn during sleep. While headgear can be a useful tool for some cases, it is not an appliance that is often prescribed by Dr. McMahon, unless absolutely necessary, as it can be difficult to get the proper compliance from the patient.
• Braces: Phase I Orthodontics almost always includes a stint of limited braces on a child's teeth to help fix present bite issues, and close any spacing created by the expander. Traditional braces can be used to address a wide range of orthodontic issues, and they help to align a child's teeth and jaw.
• Invisalign First: Invisalign First consists of a series of aligners to correct malalignment and some bite discrepancies. They are comfortable and can be a great option for patients with oral sensitivities. They do require great compliance for ideal results!
• Retainers: Retainers are used to maintain the results of orthodontic treatments. Moving teeth to a better alignment is only half of the battle. It takes some time for new bone and tissue structures to stabilize to their new positions. Retainers help to prevent the child's teeth from shifting back to their old position.
• Bite Plate: Bite plates are a removable appliance similar to a retainer that is used to correct a deep bite or to help correct a crossbite. Anchored Orthodontics will recommend a bite plate to a patient that might not be ready for more involved orthodontic treatment, but have a severe enough bite concerns that starting the process of correcting prior to placement of braces is in the patient's best interest.

Start your child on the right track

Successful Phase I orthodontics treatment will significantly reduce your child's chances of developing severe bite issues as they grow older and skeletally mature. While Phase I treatment will not negate the need for future comprehensive orthodontics in most children, it will make the future treatment quicker, less difficult on the patient, more cost effective and much more efficient. There are also some issues that simply cannot be addressed at age 12-15, that can be easily fixed at ages 6-11. We recommend that parents look at Phase I orthodontics as a preventative or interceptive treatment that ensures your child's dental and facial development is pointed in the right direction. Please give Anchored Orthodontics a call at 612-200-0020 or visit our Minnetonka clinic to learn more about phase 1 orthodontics..

Directly schedule or request a free consultation here: https://anchoredorthodontics.com or call Anchored Orthodontics at (612) 200-0020 for an appointment in our Minnetonka office.

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