Early Treatment
Give your child a head start on a healthy smile! Early screening can save you time and money.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 or at the first sign of potential orthodontic issues. While treatment may not be necessary right away, a thorough evaluation helps the orthodontist identify early signs of dental concerns and determine the best time to begin treatment.
The best part? We provide free monitoring of your child’s growth, helping to spot concerns early – potentially saving you time and money in the future. Give us a call or click the “request free consultation” button to schedule your visit.
What is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment, or Phase I treatment, is all about helping young smiles grow in the best way possible! Typically recommended for kids between the ages of 6 and 10, this type of care focuses on guiding the development of the jaw and making room for permanent teeth to come in properly. Since kids at this age still have a mix of baby and adult teeth, it’s the perfect time to catch and address potential issues like crowding, overbites, underbites, or even habits like thumb-sucking. These patients will likely still need full treatment when they are older.
The goal of early treatment is to fix small concerns now so they don’t turn into bigger ones later. By starting early, we can often make future treatments easier and shorter—and help your child feel more confident as their smile grows! Not every child needs early treatment, but a quick visit with our friendly team can help determine what’s best. At Kujak Orthodontics, we’re here to make sure every young smile gets the care it deserves!
Early orthodontic treatment may involve the use of appliances such as:
- Braces to straighten the front upper four teeth
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw
- Headgear to correct the bite
- Retainers to maintain the position of the teeth
The Benefits of Early Treatment
Not all children need early orthodontic treatment, but an evaluation by an orthodontist can help determine whether it’s necessary. Early intervention can make future treatments easier and more effective.
- Prevents more severe orthodontic issues down the road
- Shortens the time needed for braces later on
- Improves facial appearance and self-confidence
- Reduces the need for extractions or more invasive treatments in the future
Creates room for crowded teeth
Creates facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
Reduces the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Preserves space for unerupted teeth
Reduces the need for tooth removal
Reduces treatment with braces
Malocclusions
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of dental concerns and greater opportunity for more effective treatment, preventing serious issues later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.