You might think that your child is supposed to have their braces sometime in their teen years. However, you might have also noticed your child developing some pretty significant tooth alignment problems, even at an early age.
That’s what phase 1 orthodontics is for. If you want to learn more about what this treatment entails, here’s a guide to what phase 1 orthodontics is, and how to know if it’s a good idea for your child.
What Is Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Phase 1 braces are used to address a serious issue that has developed in the mouth of your child. The conditions that this treatment is often used for will be discussed below, but in general, this treatment will target one problem in particular that your child is having.
Most kids won’t start phase 1 braces until all of their permanent teeth have sprouted, but some children may benefit from orthodontic intervention sooner than that.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Most of the conditions that require phase 1 orthodontic intervention are clearly visible, so if you notice a serious problem with your child’s teeth, it might be worth talking to their orthodontist about it.
Here are a few of the conditions you should watch out for:
- Deep Over/under/crossbite
- Crowding
- Open Bite
- Spacing/gaps
- Flared upper teeth
- Thumb-sucking habits
If these issues are mild, it may be worth waiting until your child is older to address them. However, severe misalignment is worth correcting as soon as possible.
What Are the Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics?
If your child is dealing with serious misalignment, there’s no reason to force them to just deal with that until their teen years. Many of these issues can also be embarrassing for kids, affecting their long-term self-esteem. Phase 1 orthodontics allows you to address your children’s alignment issues sooner, potentially improving how they’ll feel about themselves.
Nothing exudes more confidence than a nice, straight smile, and phase 1 orthodontics means that your child doesn’t have to wait to get one.
About Our Practice
At Capezio Loiben Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to making your child’s visit to our office as positive and comfortable of an experience as possible. We’ve been caring for members of our community for over 25 years, and in that time, we’ve watched patients go from their first dental visit to graduating college, providing them with high-quality care every step of the way.
If you have any questions about phase 1 orthodontics, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (847) 459-9100.