If your child is seven, eight, or nine years old and your orthodontist mentions “Phase I treatment,” you may immediately wonder, does my child really need braces this young?
The answer is sometimes, but definitely not always.
At Choice Orthodontics, we believe early orthodontic treatment should have a specific purpose. Many children who come to see us at a young age do not need treatment at all. Instead, we simply monitor their growth and development until the timing is right.
Why See an Orthodontist Around Age 7?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age seven.
That does not mean we expect to put braces on every seven-year-old. In fact, many children we see at that age are not ready for comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
An early evaluation allows us to look at how the permanent teeth are coming in, how the upper and lower jaws are developing, and whether there are problems that may be easier to address while your child is still growing.
When Is Phase I Treatment Helpful?
Phase I treatment may be recommended when there is a problem that we do not want to wait several years to address.
Some examples include a crossbite that is affecting jaw position or growth, significant crowding or lack of space for permanent teeth, certain underbites, teeth that are erupting in an abnormal position, severely protruding front teeth that are at increased risk for injury, or significant differences in upper and lower jaw development.
The goal of Phase I treatment is not necessarily to make every tooth perfectly straight. Instead, we are trying to address a specific developmental problem at a time when treatment may be most effective.
Does Phase I Mean My Child Will Not Need Braces Later?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important things for parents to understand.
Phase I treatment addresses a specific problem while your child is growing. Once the remaining permanent teeth erupt, a second phase of treatment may still be necessary to straighten the teeth and fine tune the bite.
If we believe waiting and treating everything in one comprehensive phase will produce an equally good result, that may be the better option.
Sometimes the Best Treatment Is No Treatment Yet
Parents are sometimes surprised when we evaluate their child and say, “Everything looks okay right now. Let’s just watch.”
That is a good thing.
Orthodontic treatment is all about timing. Starting too early can sometimes mean a child spends more total years in orthodontic appliances without gaining a meaningful benefit.
At Choice Orthodontics, we want to treat your child when there is a reason to treat, not simply because they have reached a certain age.
If your child is not ready, we can continue to monitor their growth and permanent tooth eruption and let you know when, or if, treatment becomes appropriate.
Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation
If you are wondering whether your child may benefit from early orthodontic treatment, we would be happy to take a look.
At Choice Orthodontics, our goal is to recommend the right treatment at the right time for each individual child.
