Orthodontics for Children
Children should have their first orthodontic appointment by the time they turn 7 years old. By then, their first adult teeth have come through and can be evaluated for any irregular teeth and jaw concerns like cross bites, under bites, and crowding.
Phase I orthodontic Treatment
Phase I treatment, occurs when your child still has a mixture of baby and adult teeth. The goal of phase one treatment is to guide the proper growth and development of jaws and incoming adult teeth. Phase I treatment may include the use of braces, headgear, rapid palatal expanders, face masks and/or retainers to correct:
- Conditions that could lead to jaw issues and impacted adult teeth
- Infantile habits like sucking thumbs, fingers, or pacifiers
- Abnormal swallowing or speech problems
Phase II Orthodontic Treatment
Phase II treatment occurs when all of the permanent adult teeth have erupted. Patients are generally ready for full treatment starting around 11 to 13 years old, with girls usually starting 6 to 12 months sooner than boys. The goal of phase two is to ensure that each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, jaws, and other teeth. Phase II treatment my include:
- Traditional metal braces (silver or gold)
- Clear ceramic braces
- Invisalign® or removable clear plastic aligners
- Lingual / hidden braces
Phase II treatment can take between one to three years, depending on your child's case, age, cooperation and consistency in keeping appointments.
