Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children

What is the difference between early orthodontic treatment and regular orthodontic treatment, and why might my child need early treatment? How will early treatment benefit my child in the long-run?

These are just a few of the questions surrounding the topic of early orthodontic treatment for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children first see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point, the orthodontist will evaluate whether or not your child will need orthodontic treatment.

Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance for extractions in the future.

How to tell if your child may need early orthodontic treatment:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all of his or her permanent teeth in around age 13)
• Difficulty chewing and/or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Your child continues sucking his or her thumb after age five
• Speech impediments
• Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
• Teeth that don't come together in a normal manner or even at all
• Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes his or her mouth (crossbites)
• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early prevention benefit my child?

Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites may be inherited; or, may also result from injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb sucking habits.

Most children have lost all their baby teeth by age 13 and, by the end of their teen years, the jaw bones will harden and no longer continue to grow. Orthodontic procedures for adults often take more time and can involve tooth extraction and the possibility of oral surgery. As a child, receiving early orthodontic treatment can help prevent the need for orthodontics as an adult, and leaves little to no chance of extraction or surgery in the future.

If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment. Our team will provide your child with an initial exam, and discuss with you the best steps to take toward caring for your child's smile.

Pre-Orthodontics

Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program

Dear Parent,

We want to take this opportunity to welcome you to our Pre-orthodontic Guidance Program.

We have designed this program to begin a special observation process for your child beginning as early as 7 years of age.

This program is at no charge to you.

Usually no orthodontic treatment will be needed at this time. However, this periodic monitoring allows us to treat some growth conditions at the ideal time with adequate planning and preparation.

Summary of the Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program

• Your child is seen at periodic examinations to evaluate changes in growth patterns.
• Dr. Naumann and Dr. Johnson will alert you of any needed treatment as far ahead as possible to allow proper planning on your part.
• A post-card is sent to you one month prior to your next appointment to remind you of your visit.
• To monitor each child sufficiently we will take radiographic digital images if needed at no cost to you.
• There will be no cost to you during this observation period.

Benefits of the Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program

• Enables us to monitor a child’s development with periodic examinations at no charge to you.
• Intercepts any abnormalities at an early age with limited measures to guide facial growth and tooth eruption.
• Minimizes extensive and lengthy treatment at a later age.
• Achieves results that are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing.
• Enables us to support their general dental care with a team approach.
• Prepares for apprehension your child may have.

We encourage all parents or any involved persons to attend these informative examination visits to allow us to fully explain your child’s specific situation.

Thanks again for your confidence in our office. Rest assure that we will do everything in our power to treat your child the best possible way to allow him/her to grow up with a beautiful and functional smile.

If you have any questions regarding this program and how it can help your child, please don’t hesitate to call us at 360-337-2020 or 360-876-2010

Sincerely,
All of us at Naumann Johnson Orthodontics

Two-Phase Treatment

What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process combining tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

What if I put off treatment?

Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your smile. Early treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results.

Phase One

Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles

The goal of phase one treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and to improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children, over the age of six, are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can avoid the need to extract permanent teeth later.

• Planning now can save your smile later

  Children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.

• Making records to determine your unique treatment

  Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial consultation, your doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

Resting Period

In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path; otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.

• Monitoring your teeth's progress

  At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a six-month basis.

Phase Two

Stay healthy and look attractive

The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase two usually involves full upper and lower braces.

At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase, to correct and realign the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.

Common Treatments | Early Prevention | About Orthodontics | Types of Braces
Palatal Expander | Invisalign® | For Children | For Teens | For Adults | Surgical Orthodontics | Sleep Apnea | Mouthguards | Other Appliances

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