What do you think of when you picture orthodontics in your head? You may be thinking of a young teen in middle school or high school, but did you know that your little one could benefit from Phase One Orthodontics even before their permanent teeth have grown in completely? In fact, this treatment can not only help with the growth and development of their jaw, but it will set them up for a straighter smile in the future. Keep reading to learn more about Phase One Orthodontics in Rochester and how it can be beneficial for your son or daughter.
What is Phase One Orthodontics?
The main goal of Phase One Orthodontics is to fix misalignment in erupting permanent teeth and developing jaws, which sets your child up for healthy and straight teeth in the future. Your orthodontist recommends that all children come into their office at the age of 7 for an orthodontic evaluation.
During this evaluation, they will carefully examine their entire mouth and smile. If they notice that there are misalignment or bite problems, they will recommend a removeable oral appliance to help guide your child’s development. After a few months to a year (depending on the case) your orthodontist will evaluate their smile to see if they should move on to Phase Two Orthodontics. This treatment involves traditional braces, but children who have received Phase One Orthodontics will typically have a much shorter treatment time.
How Your Little One Benefits from Phase One Orthodontics
Phase One Orthodontics can bring your child many advantages that they can actually benefit from for the rest of their life, including:
- Lessens or eliminates alignment issues with erupting adult teeth
- Can correct crowded, crooked, and gapped erupting adult teeth
- Helps development of the jawbone
- Ensures proper development of erupting teeth
- Decreases the chances of more extensive orthodontic treatment down the road
- Helps improve oral function like speaking, chewing, and breathing
- Helps with poor habits like thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
An additional benefit is that Phase One Orthodontics typically come in the form of a removeable appliance, making them easy to clean and maintain for your little one.
If you’ve had a bad experience with braces in the past, or you’d like to save your son or daughter from years of orthodontics in their teen years, this pediatric treatment can work wonders. Contact your orthodontist in Rochester to set your child up for a successful smile in the future.
Meet the Orthodontist
Dr. Stan Drabik is an experienced orthodontist who especially enjoys treating kids. He understands the importance of treating misalignment early on, which is why he offers phase One Orthodontics at his practice. He also provides numerous other treatment options, including Invisalign clear aligners. For any questions, he can be contacted through his website or by phone at his Webster and Rochester locations.