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Starting orthodontic care for your young child may seem drastic. But by beginning proactive care early with interceptive treatment, we can help minimize or even eliminate their need for more extensive treatments in the future. Give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles.
DID YOU KNOW?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that kids get their first orthodontic consultation no later than the age of 7 years old.
Why Should I Choose Early Interceptive Orthodontics?
Orthodontic problems often become obvious as early as the age of 6-8 in some kids. The AAO and Dr. Jewell recommend your child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Not every child will benefit from an initial phase (Phase I/ Early Interceptive Phase) of treatment, however some may greatly benefit from early treatment. An evaluation is the first step in intercepting current and future orthodontic concerns such as crossbites, crowding, ectopically erupting teeth, and more. Getting phase 1 treatment can simplify your child’s future treatment with braces and can even eliminate the need for further orthodontic procedures, in some cases.
Phase 1 with WildSmiles
WildSmiles is a braces system that lets you choose what your brackets look like! Whether your child wants to show off their wants to show off their love for Disney, support their favorite sports team, or showcase their individual style, WildSmiles has a design for them!
No More Messy Impressions
With our intraoral scanner, we are able to avoid the goopy impressions of the past. These scans are then sent to our lab to have custom appliances made for your child's teeth.
Phase 1 with WildSmiles
WildSmiles is a braces system that lets you choose what your brackets look like! Whether your child wants to show off their wants to show off their love for Disney, support their favorite sports team, or showcase their individual style, WildSmiles has a design for them!
3D Printed Appliances
Early interceptive orthodontics often requires the use of oral appliances as part of treatment. With 3D printed, custom appliances, we offer more comfortable and effective treatments than ever before!
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Board-Certified Orthodontist
When you bring your child to a board-certified orthodontist, you’re getting the peace of mind knowing that your little one’s smile is in the hands of an experienced professional who is dedicated to keeping up with the latest advancements in orthodontics and patient care.
The Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics
Develop A Healthy Bite
Phase 1 orthodontics is particularly important in patients who may have serious jaw problems or a narrow palate. These issues can interfere with the development of a healthy bite. In the future, this could lead to problems when the permanent teeth erupt, speech impediments, premature tooth wear, and lots of other problems. With early interceptive orthodontics, these complex issues can be reduced or eliminated.
Reduce Tooth Misalignment
Early interceptive orthodontics helps the adult teeth erupt in the proper places, and can reduce or even eliminate the misalignment of adult teeth. This improves your child’s smile and oral health. In some cases, they may not even need braces (phase 2 orthodontics) to straighten their teeth.
Treat Other Dental/Health Complications
A bad bite and misaligned teeth can contribute to or cause lots of other problems like disordered breathing, a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay, speech issues, and other conditions. Proper care from Dr. Jewell will prevent all of these problems and more.
The Early Interceptive Orthodontics Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
The first step is scheduling your complimentary consultation at Jewell Orthodontics. The Jewell Orthodontic team will take detailed x-rays, perform a comprehensive exam, and assess your child's overall oral health to determine if early interceptive orthodontics is recommended. If not, your child will be routinely monitored by Dr. Jewell until they are ready for comprehensive treatment.
Personalized Treatment Plan
If Phase I is recommended for your child, Dr. Jewell will develop and review a customized treatment plan. This could include WildSmiles braces, habit appliances to help with things like thumb-sucking or bad swallow, palate expanders, and a variety of other treatments. Every child is different, so Dr. Jewell will discuss their plan with you and schedule all of the necessary follow-ups and checkups.
Regular Orthodontic Check-Ups
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment typically takes about 12 months, though some patients may have shorter or longer treatment times. During this time, your child will come back to our office for frequent visits with Dr. Jewell. Dr. Jewell will check on their oral health, examine their progress, and make sure everything’s on track. This same process will continue until your child’s treatment is complete. A retainer is typically made after Phase I treatment to hold the progress made until all adult teeth have erupted and an evaluation for Phase II treatment may be completed.
Before & Afters
stop scrolling and start straightening!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs that my child may need early interceptive orthodontics?
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If your child is showcasing one or more of the following signs & symptoms, they may be a good candidate for early interceptive orthodontic treatment:
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Excessively gapped teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Excessive thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these symptoms before they become severe issues over time.
What are the benefits of early interceptive orthodontics?
Early treatment can be in a patient’s best interest if their problem is one that could worsen over time and cause severe dental issues in adulthood if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to recognize and eliminate these problems as early as possible, so a child’s teeth and jaw can properly grow and maintain space for incoming adult teeth.
What causes orthodontic problems in my child?
While many orthodontic problems are inherited, some are caused by common habits over time, such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or excessive pacifier use. Other factors such as mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents, and poor nutrition can alter your child’s teeth and jaw alignment. No matter the cause, our team will cater to your child’s unique needs and teach them healthy habits for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
At what age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first check-up should take place before the age of 7 or any time an orthodontic issue is noticed before then. By the age of 7, your child’s mouth holds enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to gain a strong understanding of your child’s mouth and jaws as they develop. This provides your orthodontist with plenty of information to give your child a tailored treatment.
How much does early interceptive orthodontics cost?
The cost of early interceptive orthodontics is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost include the severity of your child’s teeth misalignment, appointments and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for your child’s early interceptive orthodontics is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jewell.
Keeping Care Accessible
We believe that everyone deserves a chance at a healthy smile, and that’s why we do everything we can to make paying for dental care as easy as possible.
