Benefits Of Children Receiving Early Orthodontic Treatment
At Kewaskum Family Dentistry, we frequently recommend that children ages seven and older receive an evaluation for orthodontic treatment. For many years, it was commonplace for only young teens to receive orthodontic treatment, so some parents are alarmed when their children are being recommended for orthodontic treatment. Over the past many years, we have learned that early orthodontic treatment provides many benefits. It is known as two-phase orthodontic treatment.
What is Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?
If we recently recommended your child for orthodontic treatment, do not be alarmed. Many years ago, it was thought that orthodontic treatment happened in one phase from start to finish. Today, we have a different approach, and now use the two-phase treatment. With this idea, we can minimize the length of time that children are in braces.
During the first phase, we treat the placement of the child’s jaw. We improve the alignment of the jaws and create ample space for the adult teeth to move into place. At the first appointment, we will create a baseline of orthodontic records, including X-rays, models of the teeth, and photographs. We can then determine if treatment is needed and, if so, make a specific treatment recommendation. Typically, after the first phase, there is a waiting period while the adult teeth begin to emerge. We will continue to evaluate the placement of the teeth and move on to phase two if needed. Phase two is the placement of braces followed by a retainer when the treatment for braces is complete.
We are able to treat children in our office for orthodontic treatment. This is beneficial to families because we can easily monitor the need for phases one and two during regular oral hygiene examinations and cleanings. That is one of the reasons regular dental care is so important. Children should be visiting our office every six months for their regular exams.
If you have any questions about orthodontic care for your children or need to schedule a routine examination, be sure to contact our office in Kewaskum WI. We are here to answer any questions you may have.
