When
it comes to orthodontics for children, there is no “one size fits all”
solution. While some children will require orthodontic treatment in phases,
spanning years and starting early in life, others will be able to skip early
treatments and go right into getting braces at an older age. Whether your child
will need treatments in phases or not, it’s important to understand all of your
options before committing to one orthodontic treatment.
Phase I Orthodontic Treatment
Also
known as “Early Treatment,” Phase I Orthodontics begin when the patient is
between the ages of 7 to 10. Early treatment is highly effective for children
who will need some form of braces to correct bite problems due to skeletal
imbalance issues, overcrowding, or misaligned teeth when there is a mix of baby
and adult teeth.
Ideally,
Phase I Orthodontics is designed to create a better environment for the
introduction of adult teeth, and to correct jaw problems when the growth and
size of the jaws are still malleable. While not every child needing braces
needs this preliminary orthodontic treatment, those that have undergone Phase I
Orthodontics have greatly benefited from this form of
early intervention. This phase of treatment takes about 6 to 12 months and
could include one or more types of treatment using orthodontia including:
- Expanders
- Spacers
- Braces
- Retainers
Phase II Orthodontic Treatment
The
majority of patients that undergo Phase I Orthodontic care will require a
second round of treatment once adult teeth come in. Sometimes, this secondary
treatment is less involved than what it would have been if the Phase I
treatment was not implemented. This second phase of treatment will take about
12 to 24 months.
Conventional Treatment
Traditional
braces are implemented after all of the patient’s permanent teeth have come in.
On average, patients receiving conventional braces are around 11 to 13 years of
age, having not undergone Phase I and II orthodontic treatments. On average,
children who go right into conventional braces may need teeth extracted or
surgery to expand the palate in order to create a healthy bite.
Orthodontics in Bakersfield
With
so many different treatments available, it is important to visit your
orthodontist early. At Southwest Family Dentistry, we recommend bringing your
child in for their first orthodontic appointment by age seven. At this stage,
their permanent teeth are starting to come in and problem areas can be
pinpointed quickly.
Don’t
wait until your child starts experiencing discomfort or low self-esteem because
of their smile. Schedule a consultation at Southwest Family Dentistry to see if
phase orthodontic treatment or conventional braces would benefit your
child. Contact us today!
