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A Proactive Approach to Children's Orthodontic Care
As your child grows and develops, orthodontic issues might start to appear. It's a good idea for children to see the orthodontist for the first time around the age of seven, so any potential concerns can be addressed early.
Early (Phase 1) orthodontics involves guiding proper jaw development to reduce the need for extensive dental work in the future. Instead of delaying treatment until the teeth and jaws are fully developed and settled, we start early to align with your child's growth, helping to achieve a straighter smile.
It can also help resolve many common oral issues that children encounter as they grow, such as speech and eating problems, snoring, teeth grinding, thumb sucking, and additional concerns.
At our orthodontic clinics in Media and Wallingford, we offer Invisalign First clear aligners and traditional braces for our young patients to give them the best possible start to good lifelong oral health.
Complimentary Initial Consultations for Children
If you or your general dentist have concerns about your child's orthodontic health, an examination by an orthodontist may be necessary. Bring your child to CDF Family Orthodontics for a free initial orthodontic assessment.
Early intervention, also referred to as Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, is intended for children aged five to eleven who exhibit developing bite issues, misalignment, or airway concerns.
Phase 1 typically includes a variety of orthodontic treatments. The most common are braces, Invisalign First, and treatment for airway issues.
We'll create a personalized treatment plan that outlines Phases 1 and 2 from the start. This way, we can make your child's orthodontic journey smooth, effective, and as comfortable as possible.
Phase 1 also includes:
- Planning for the next phase
Phase 1 treatment mainly serves as preparation for Phase 2. Early orthodontic plans aim to reduce the necessity for invasive or extensive procedures in the future, like extracting permanent teeth or performing jaw surgeries.
- Records to inform treatment
During your child's Phase 1 treatment, we'll keep detailed records for reference in Phase 2. These records will include information like the type of appliances used, the length of treatment, and the frequency of visits. Records also include models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs.
- A resting period
After finishing your child's initial phase of orthodontic treatment, the permanent teeth will continue to erupt naturally without any interference.
Retaining devices might not be advisable if they could obstruct eruption. It is preferable to let existing permanent teeth move freely.
A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to erupt into their proper position.
- Monitoring tooth progress
After completing the first phase of treatment, your child's teeth are still settling into place. Rest assured, this will be fully achieved during their Phase 2 orthodontic journey.
Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may enhance eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually every six months.
Phase 2 begins after all permanent teeth have erupted, continuing from Phase 1. It focuses on finalizing the smile and bite adjustments using braces or Invisalign Teen.
Phase 2 orthodontic treatment is usually less intense than it would be if Phase 1 had been skipped.
We think of it as fine-tuning your teen's smile after all the groundwork was laid in Phase 1 – it's the finishing touch. Phase 2 treatment is usually shorter than Phase 1, lasting six to 12 months.
- Continuing on the path to a healthy smile
The goal of the second phase is to ensure that each tooth is positioned in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth.
- Phase 2 braces or aligner treatment
- Maintenance and retainers
Once Phase 2 treatment is ending, retainers will be created for your child. These will be worn regularly to help maintain long-term treatment results.
Early Orthodontic Treatments for Kids
Here are some of the most common orthodontic treatment options available for kids at CDF Family Orthodontics.
Braces for Children
At CDF Family Orthodontics, we use braces to guide the development of children's teeth and jaws for healthier, straighter smiles.
Invisalign First for Children
Invisalign First is Invisalign just for kids! This system of clear aligners works with your child's developing smile to straighten teeth and correct jaw misalignments.