Phase 1 Orthodontics – Long Beach, NY
Early Treatment for Straighter, Healthier Smiles
Does your child have what appears to be a significant bite misalignment? Do their teeth appear to have spacing issues or flare out? Anytime significant jaw and teeth problems are evident in a young child’s smile, they serve as clear indicators that early orthodontic intervention is necessary. At Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, our team of experts, which consists of a pediatric dentist, general dentist, and orthodontist in Long Beach, can provide Phase 1 Orthodontics to help eliminate substantial dental problems early on and potentially avoid more serious orthodontic concerns later on. If you believe your child might be ready for this type of treatment, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth for Phase 1 Orthodontics?
- Trusted Orthodontist with More Than 10 Years of Experience
- Advanced Dental Technology Used for Increased Comfort
- Late Evening and Saturday Appointments Available
What Age Should a Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) strongly recommends that parents schedule an appointment for their child to undergo an orthodontic examination by the age of 7. Somewhere between the ages of 5 and 7, a child’s permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Should their teeth or jaw develop abnormally during this time, an orthodontist, general dentist, or even a pediatric dentist can identify the problem and recommend Phase 1 Orthodontics to address the issue early on.
How to Know if a Child Needs Phase 1 Orthodontics
Although you may be unfamiliar with the common signs that trigger the need for early orthodontic intervention, the easiest way to tell if your child needs Phase 1 Orthodontics is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarit. However, if you begin to notice any of the following before scheduling that visit, you can expect that during your appointment, your child will likely be recommended for early orthodontic treatment:
- Flared teeth on the upper row
- Spacial issues that include overcrowding or large gaps
- The development of a speech impediment
- Bite misalignments (i.e., underbite, overbite, crossbite, open bite)
- Non-nutritive habits like thumb-sucking or pacifier use that led to abnormal development of the jaw and/or teeth
- Difficulty breathing while awake or asleep
How Does Phase 1 Treatment Work?
Before recommending any type of treatment, Dr. Sarit will closely examine your child’s smile using digital X-rays and other advanced dental equipment and technology. Looking to see how their bite operates when opening and closing their mouth, it is also helpful to identify any areas that have yet to see permanent teeth erupt. By determining if the developmental and/or alignment issues pose a significant risk to the health and future of your child’s smile, we can provide a more well-rounded, confident recommendation for Phase 1 Orthodontics.
The type of appliances used to correct alignment problems in young children can include:
- Palatal expander
- Braces
- Space maintainers
- Retainers
- And other dentofacial orthopedics
It may also be necessary to remove any baby teeth that might cause overcrowding once adult teeth erupt.
The average timeline for Phase 1 Orthodontics is typically one year; however, it can be shorter or longer depending on your child’s case. While many children often do not need further treatment after completing Phase 1, some do require Phase 2 Orthodontics, which uses braces to continue correcting various dental issues.