Give Your Child a Confident Foundation
Early Orthodontic Treatment for Greater Dayton Kids
Every child’s smile develops differently. While many children won’t need orthodontic treatment at a young age, an early evaluation can help identify concerns with the teeth, bite or jaw development while your child is still growing. At Dhingra Orthodontics, we take a personalized approach to early orthodontic care and recommend treatment only when it can provide meaningful benefits.
Schedule a free first consultation for your child at our Beavercreek, Bellefontaine or Springfield location. We’ll give you honest, no-pressure guidance and personalized recommendations for your child!
What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Also known as interceptive orthodontic treatment, early treatment addresses certain orthodontic concerns while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth (called “mixed dentition”). Rather than waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted, an orthodontist can evaluate how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and determine whether treatment at a younger age may be helpful.
Some children may benefit from two-phase orthodontic treatment. This approach separates care into an initial phase during childhood followed by a period of growth and observation before additional treatment is considered.
Phase One Treatment
Phase One treatment focuses on concerns that are best addressed while your child’s mouth and jaws are still developing, around ages 7 to 10. Depending on your child’s needs, treatment may help guide jaw development, improve how the upper and lower jaws fit together or create room for permanent teeth as they erupt.
Phase Two Treatment
After Phase One treatment, your child typically enters a resting or observation period while additional permanent teeth erupt. If further treatment is recommended, Phase Two focuses on the position and alignment of the permanent teeth and the overall bite. Not every child who visits us for an early evaluation will need two phases of treatment.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
Timing can make all the difference when certain orthodontic concerns are related to growth and development. When early treatment is appropriate, it allows orthodontists like Dr. Seema and Dr. Azie to address these concerns at a stage when tooth movement is often easier.
Depending on your child’s individual needs, early orthodontic treatment may help:
- Guide jaw growth and development
- Improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaws
- Create additional room for permanent teeth
- Address certain bite problems as they develop
- Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Address oral habits that may affect dental development
- Make future orthodontic treatment more straightforward in some cases
The benefits of early treatment are different for every child. We’ll evaluate your child’s smile, growth and development, then explain whether early treatment could be helpful or if simply monitoring their progress is the better approach. If monitoring is recommended, observation appointments are also complimentary.
Early Treatment Options for Your Child
Depending on your child’s orthodontic needs, early treatment may involve braces or Invisalign® clear aligners. Braces provide precise control over tooth movement and can be useful for addressing a wide range of alignment and bite concerns. Invisalign may also be an option for some younger patients who are good candidates for removable clear aligners.
Our team will evaluate your child’s developing smile and recommend the treatment approach that best fits their needs.
Does My Child Need Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Most children do not need to begin orthodontic treatment at their first evaluation. In many cases, the best approach is simply to monitor the teeth and jaws as your child grows.
However, an early orthodontic evaluation may be especially important if you notice:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Large spaces between teeth
- An underbite, crossbite or other noticeable bite concern
- Upper front teeth that protrude
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Permanent teeth that appear to be erupting out of position
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Ongoing thumb or finger sucking
- Jaws that appear to shift or do not fit together properly
These signs do not necessarily mean your child needs treatment right away. An orthodontic evaluation can help determine what is happening and whether treatment or continued observation is appropriate.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age seven. At this age, children typically have the mixed dentition that gives an orthodontist the perfect opportunity to evaluate how the teeth, jaws and bite are developing. If everything is developing as expected, your orthodontist may simply recommend periodic check-ups until the right time for treatment arrives.
Get Stellar Interceptive Treatment from Dhingra Orthodontics
Knowing when to begin orthodontic treatment can be just as important as knowing how to treat a developing smile. At Dhingra Orthodontics, children’s evaluations are guided by doctors who will take the time to assess each child’s individual needs and explain the next steps clearly to both the child and their parents.
If you have questions about your child’s smile or if they are approaching age seven, schedule a free consultation with us. We welcome families from the Greater Dayton area and surrounding Ohio communities!
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Care
Is seven years old too young for orthodontic treatment?
Age seven is not necessarily the age when treatment should begin, but it is the age at which we recommend children receive their first orthodontic check-up. Many children who are evaluated at this age will simply be monitored as they grow.
Is early orthodontic treatment the same as Phase 1 treatment?
Yes. Phase 1 treatment is a form of early or interceptive orthodontic treatment provided while a child is still growing and has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. It is recommended only when addressing a specific concern will benefit the child.
What happens between Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontic treatment?
There is typically an observation or waiting period between the two phases. During this time, your child continues to grow and additional permanent teeth continue to erupt. Sometimes, selected teeth may be removed or extracted to make space in the mouth. Your orthodontist will monitor how your child grows and determine the appropriate timing for any future treatment.
Is my child too old to start braces?
It is not too late to schedule an orthodontic evaluation. Age seven is the recommended time for an initial check-up, but it’s not a deadline for receiving care. An orthodontist can evaluate your child at any age and recommend treatment based on their current stage of dental and facial development.