Early Interceptive 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 that children see an orthodontist by the age of 7 for screening or before this age if there is a specific developmental concern.
At the initial appointment, Dr. Gibson will evaluate facial and dental growth and development and determine the best timing for orthodontic treatment if needed. Dr. Gibson has extensive experience and training in all aspects of interceptive orthodontic treatment whether for simple improvement in a child who is self-concious of their smile or for something as complex as cleft lip and palate.
Early evaluation is critically important to allow for optimal treatment timing. Significant facial growth occurs by the age of 7, and in girls facial growth may be nearing completion by the age of 12. Interceptive orthodontic treatment is most effective when there is a lot of remaining facial and dental growth to work with, and that is why early evaluation is so key. The benefits of this type of treatment are amazing, but the patient must be seen early enough to allow for guidance of facio-dental growth and development.
Early interceptive treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins between six and nine years of age and last for 6-14 months. The goals of early treatment are to correct the growth of the jaws, improve bite problems such as cross-bites and underbites, eliminate habits (thumb sucking), gain space for develping teeth, enhance airway, chewing and speech function, while creating a beautiful smile. The face grows a little every day. Problems that are left uncorrected can worsen as additional dento-facial growth occurs complicating future treatment. Unaddressed airway dysfunction in young children is a good expample of this, and a myriad of dento-facial and medical problems can develop or worsen as growth occurs in an environment where breathing is difficult.
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 permanent teeth around age 13-14)
- Cross-bite or underbite
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Self concious of teeth or smile
- Mouth breathing, upper airway resistance syndrome or sleep apnea
- 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
What causes orthodontic problems, and how will early treatment benefit my child?
Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, underbites, and bad bites can be caused by genetics, injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, speech/tongue abnormalties, or thumb-sucking habits.
Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 13, and during their teen years the jaw bones will harden and stop growing. Receiving early orthodontic treatment as a child can greatly simplify adolescent comprehensive orthodontic treatment with better outcomes, and may minimize the need for extraction or surgeries in the adolescent years.
If your child is between the ages of six to eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care or if you have been directed by your pediatrician or 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 developing smile.