Phase 1 Orthodontics – Highland Park, IL
Preventative Orthodontic Treatment
When you visit for a checkup and cleaning, it’s known as “preventative care”, because you’re preventing oral conditions from occurring in the first place. Phase 1 orthodontics is sort of like preventative care for your little one’s dental alignment. By intervening early with a Super 7 Checkup and prompt treatment, we can mitigate the need for more involved alignment straightening later on in your child’s life. Don’t worry – our team is experienced with young kids and will ensure your child feels safe and comfortable during their visit. Contact our office in Highland Park to get started!
How Phase 1 Orthodontics Works
With phase 1 orthodontics, the goal is to encourage your young child’s teeth to grow straighter and more evenly. Which means that some baby teeth might be included in the treatment! This might seem unnecessary, but baby teeth act like a guide for the permanent version. In other words, if a baby tooth is crooked, the adult tooth following it will also likely be crooked.
We can also treat more specific orthodontic problems or habits that your child might have. Depending on their needs, the process could take between 6 – 18 months. Here are some examples of what a phase 1 orthodontic treatment may involve:
- Often placed outside of the mouth and used in combination with braces, headgear promotes optimal jaw alignment.
- Functional appliance. These can take many forms, but they’re all designed to shift your child’s bite into a more favorable position.
- Limited braces. If we only identify one small, specific cluster of teeth that could be problematic, we can target orthodontic treatment with a shorter line of braces.
- To prevent your child’s orthodontic results from “coming undone”, we might give them a retainer to be worn regularly after their treatment is complete.
Who is a Good Candidate for Phase 1 Orthodontics?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, the best time to screen for orthodontic problems is when your child is 7 years old. That might sound awfully specific, but there’s good research backing it up! By age 7, your child has enough permanent teeth to determine whether there are complications. For example, they’ll likely have their first molars and incisors, which gives us the opportunity to check for early bite issues and potential overcrowding.
Because 7 is such an important age for phase 1 orthodontics, Dr. Cohen offers a free Super 7 Checkup to evaluate your little one’s dental alignment. Here’s an idea of what we’ll be looking for:
- Dental overcrowding
- Overlapping teeth
- Significant gaps or spaces
- “Shark teeth” – pearly whites that sit behind or in front of other existing teeth
- Signs of habits, like thumb- or pacifier-sucking, that could interfere with oral health
The Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics
The main benefit of “preventive orthodontics” is limiting your child’s need for more complicated orthodontic treatment down the road. Overall, you’re saving time, discomfort, and money! Plus, your little one will appreciate these advantages:
- Reduced risk for oral developmental issues, such as speech impediments and obstructed airways
- Less time spent wearing braces as a self-conscious teenager
- Less likely need for jaw surgery later in life
Even if we don’t find any problems during your kiddo’s Super 7 Checkup, you’ll get the benefit of immediate peace of mind. So if your child is rapidly approaching their 7th birthday, don’t hesitate to contact us for an exam!