As a child grows, their smile grows with them. And even with baby teeth, it may be the perfect time for children ages 6 to 10 to start orthodontic treatment. This is known as Phase 1 developmental treatment.
At this stage, doctors can see issues that may need early treatment to address a developing problem.
*Retainers are recommended in between phases while waiting for the permanent teeth to grow in and after Phase 2 is completed to help retain the corrections made.
The Goals of Phase 1 Developmental Treatment
The goal of Phase 1 developmental treatment is to develop young jaws and/or arches to make room for existing teeth and for incoming permanent teeth. Treatment at an early age can:
- Prevent preexisting bite issues from getting worse.
- Fix existing misalignment conditions.
- Improve the appearance of a growing child’s smile.
- Correct oral habits such as thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting.
- Make Phase 2 completion treatment shorter and easier.
With a wide variety of issues that can be corrected, the ultimate goal of Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is to give your child their best chance at a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles!
Invisalign Treatment for Phase 2
We correct a number of orthodontic issues for pre-teens and teens, just as we do for adults. If your child’s permanent teeth have fully erupted, these issues can be corrected through Invisalign Teen to help your child gain a well-aligned smile.
Early Intervention for a Lifetime of Smiles!
Here at our practice, Dr. David McSurdy combines the innovative technology of Invisalign treatment with years of extensive experience to provide excellent orthodontic care. This means we can provide life-changing procedures to help boost your child’s oral health.
We want to help you make great decisions about your child’s oral health, and we have an exciting option available to you. Call today if you would like to schedule a consultation for your child!