As children grow, there is a natural progression for some to exhibit orthodontic needs. In past years, patients were often told to wait until all of the permanent teeth had erupted before considering orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, many of the problems that may be easily corrected at a younger age cannot be fully corrected if treatment is delayed until the teenage years.

Today, we know that younger school-aged children (ages 6-11), can benefit in many ways from early interceptive treatment referred to as Phase I treatment. The following are indications that an orthodontic problem may be present in children, indicating possible need for interceptive early orthodontic treatment:

  • thumb and finger sucking
  • overlapped & crowded teeth
  • crossbites
  • underbites
  • protrusion of upper front teeth
  • mouth breathing & snoring
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The advantage and benefits of interceptive early treatment are:

  • creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
  • preserving space for unerupted teeth
  • allowing a child to grow more symmetrically by influencing jaw growth
  • reducing the risk of trauma & fractures of protruding front teeth
  • reducing the need for extraction of permanent teeth
  • reducing the need for longer treatment times

First phase treatment is used to create a better environment for teeth to erupt. This stage of treatment is about the big things: jaw problems, horizontal and vertical bite problems, modifying growth , expanding the arches and controlling habits. These things can be very difficult to treat once a child is 12 or 13 years old or when growth is almost complete. Growth modification, part of early orthodontic treatment, is about preventing more serious problems from occurring at a later age. This growth modification is possible when the bones are still growing and is more effective during a child’s growth spurt.

Arches can be expanded during growth with removable or cemented appliances .

This expansion creates more space for better eruption of the permanent teeth. Skeletal expansion can also result in a broader smile, increase the airway by 15% and decrease the size of adenoids and tonsils.

In addition to creating more space for eruption of permanent teeth, expansion can correct jaw asymmetries, and create broader, more beautiful smiles.

Early Treatment can modify growth and improve profiles

Large “underbites”, “overbites”, and even “openbites” can be corrected or reduced. The key in growth modification is timing & compliance.

In many cases, expanding the upper arch and maintaining the space on the lower arch can be used to avoid extractions in younger children with crowded teeth. Although expansion may be accomplished in children 12 years of age or older, it is generally more effective and more stable than when done at a younger age.

Children today are more apt to receive preventive dental care and interceptive orthodontic care. As such they have healthy teeth, beautiful smiles and an even better chance to have a healthy, successful life!