Is Early Treatment Worthwhile?
Early treatment – Phase I - prevents more serious problems from developing and makes treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. Early treatment gives us the chance to :
- Guide jaw growth into the correct shape and relationship between the upper and lower jaws. This can only be done during active growth (ages 7-12 in girls
and 7-14 in boys.) The earlier the better as the more growth that occurs after correction the greater the stability.
- Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct harmful habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip wedging
- Improve appearance and self-esteem* Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position.
- Improve the way lips meet
What are the possible Phase I treatment options?
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Space Maintainers – are passive appliances that if placed at the correct time, can assist the eruption of the posterior (back) permanent teeth, causing them to erupt much straighter then they normally would. Helps prevent impaction of erupting permanent teeth. |
 Palatal Expansion – Early expansion fixes crossbites, and makes room for teeth which might erupt on their own or would erupt really crooked. It also eliminates lower jaw shifts, which if left alone, will cause the lower jaw to grow off to one side. |
Maxillary Protraction – most underbites are caused by the upper jaw (maxilla) not growing forward as it should. In a young child, these maxillary bones are easy to reshape. Maxillary protraction can make this upper jaw grow forward to correct eh young patient’s bite, and profile. It is essential to start these treatments early
How does the orthodontist know my child needs early treatment?
If any of the following conditions relate to your child, they would benefit :
- Crowded or spaced teeth
- Crossbites of front or back teeth
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth
- Front teeth that do not meet, or meet in an abnormal way
- Jaws that are too far forward or back
- Thumb sucking
- Difficulty in chewing
- Early or late loss of permanent teeth
- Breathing through the mouth
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Biting the cheeks or into the roof of the mouth
- An unbalanced facial appearance
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Crowded Teeth |
Crossbite |
Biting Cheek |
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