As a parent, you may wonder when your child needs an early orthodontic evaluation. At Baller Dental & Ortho, I typically recommend this evaluation for children around age seven.
I’m Dr. Holly Baller, and as a dentist in Aurora, CO, I want to assure you this step doesn’t necessarily mean your child will need braces. The process allows me to detect and address dental and jaw development issues while your child's bones are still growing.
When appropriate, early orthodontic treatment can significantly reduce the need for extensive orthodontic work later. In some cases, these steps can prevent certain issues from becoming problems at all.
Phase 1 Orthodontics: Types and Benefits
The following treatments are part of Phase 1 orthodontics, often called interceptive orthodontics.
- Palatal Expanders — Widens a narrow upper jaw, which can help correct bite problems and allow permanent teeth to emerge properly.
- Space Maintainers — If a child loses a baby tooth too soon, a space maintainer helps prevent neighboring teeth from drifting into the space. The small appliance holds the space open so the permanent tooth can emerge at the correct angle.
- Myobrace® —This customized appliance is designed to correct poor oral habits that lead to developmental issues. It focuses on training the mouth muscles, which can improve the alignment of the teeth and jaws as the child grows.
Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment
The goal of Phase 1 orthodontics is to create a better environment for a child's permanent teeth to erupt and to improve jaw development. Early intervention often leads to more stable and lasting results, making Phase 2 treatments (traditional orthodontics) shorter and less invasive.
Addressing orthodontic issues early can also improve your child’s dental health by contributing to better chewing and speech and preventing damage to protruding teeth.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
If you want to schedule an early orthodontic evaluation for your child at my Aurora, CO, dental office to learn how Phase 1 treatments can benefit them, I invite you to give my team and me a call at (720) 653-3223.