Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment can begin when a child is as young as seven years old, coming in many treatment options like early forms of braces, skeletal anchorage devices and aligners. The goal of early orthodontic treatment is to improve, prevent or correct early orthodontic concerns that may cause oral health or aesthetic issues when the patient becomes older.  This is known as Phase I treatment, and can sometimes precede Phase II, or comprehensive orthodontic treatment (correcting the position of permanent teeth. ).

Although there is no significant evidence to say that early orthodontic (Phase I) treatment with a later, separate Phase II treatment is superior to a combined “phase I and II” treatment, often compliance in younger children is better than in older children.  Additionally, there are certain orthodontic issues that must be treated early because the same results may not be achievable once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Orthodontic detection is highly recommended at an early age to guide the growth of the jaw, correct harmful oral habits and guide permanent teeth to more correct positions. Early orthodontic treatment helps correct and prevent overbites, oral crowding, oral habits (finger sucking, tongue thrusts and speech impediments) spaces between teeth, incorrectly-positioned teeth and supernumerary teeth (extra and misshaped teeth).

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral development, we can help detect, treat or refer young patients to the correct orthodontic measures.