- Intercept and Fix Orthodontic Problems Early
- What Age Should My Child Visit An Orthodontist?
- What Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Help?
- Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Early Orthodontic Treatment Reviews
- The Benefits of Early Intervention
- How To Tell If Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment:
- Complimentary Consultations
- Related Treatments
Intercept and Fix Orthodontic Problems Early
Early orthodontic treatment, also called interceptive treatment or phase 1 treatment, is an orthodontic treatment performed while some baby teeth are still present. Early orthodontic treatment can begin as early as seven years of age. Not every child needs early treatment, but sometimes it is necessary to ensure minor problems don’t become more serious if left untreated.
Early treatment aims to intercept the developing problem, eliminate the cause, guide the growth of facial and jawbones, and provide adequate space for incoming permanent teeth. A patient may require a second course of treatment after all permanent teeth have come in to move the permanent teeth into their best positions.
The best way to determine if a child can benefit from early orthodontic treatment is to visit Dr. Valeriano and Dr. Moon for a consultation. They will do 3-D digital scans of the teeth and jaws and conduct an oral examination to see how the permanent teeth and the jaw are developing.
What Age Should My Child Visit An Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and Valeriano Orthodontics recommend your child’s first visit to the orthodontist be around age 7. At that age, your child has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and the jaws and spot subtle problems even in young children. While your child’s teeth may appear straight, there may be a problem that needs to be monitored or corrected.
Many children do not need early treatment, but an early visit can provide the orthodontist and the parent with a good idea of what treatment may be needed at a later age and what can be done during phase I to reduce the need for treatment later. Treating orthodontic issues early gives us the best chance for lifelong results.
There are generally three outcomes of an initial consult with an orthodontist:
- No treatment is expected to be necessary at any age
- Treatment may be needed in the future, so the child will come in periodically to be rechecked
- Early orthodontic treatment will be recommended
What Does Early Orthodontic Treatment Help?
Problems That Often Benefit from Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Eliminate harmful habits such as thumb or finger sucking.
- Correct severe dental protrusion (overbite) to reduce the risk of trauma and enhance facial aesthetics.
- Address airway issues like sleep apnea, snoring, or mouth breathing through a coordinated approach with ENT specialists.
- Expand narrow jaws to create proper space for teeth and improve overall bite.
- Improve dental alignment and smile aesthetics, supporting both oral health and the patient’s confidence.
- Support psychosocial well-being by addressing alignment concerns that can impact self-esteem.
Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment
By age seven, your child’s mouth has enough structure for Dr. Valeriano to know how it will develop as the permanent teeth start to emerge. Early orthodontic treatment allows him to address the structure of the jaw and teeth before all of the permanent teeth have erupted, helping to prevent more severe problems and controlling the location of the permanent teeth. Even if your child doesn’t need orthodontic treatment immediately, a consultation will uncover how an orthodontist can help your child if future treatment is necessary.
Orthodontic treatment and a child’s growth are meant to complement each other. By timing treatment to stages of dental development, your orthodontist can take advantage of your child’s oral growth and development. Problems that can be treated in a growing child may alleviate more drastic and invasive procedures needed later.
Early Orthodontic Treatment Reviews
Second child to have braces at Valeriano Orthodontics. Everyone is so friendly and makes each patient and family feel comfortable through the whole process.
Excellent experience with Valeriano Orthodontics. I appreciate the technology that he uses with Invisalign, part of which included the Smile Doctors app and a physical “scanbox” device which clipped to my phone. The scanbox allowed me to take weekly checkup videos from the comfort of my home, and the ability to receive/send messages from/to the doctor. In the middle of my treatment, I had to relocate to another city and this system was vital in allowing me to continue my treatment with Dr. Valeriano, rather than having to transfer my care to another doctor. I also appreciate that he offers an interest free in-house finance plan. The office is in a great location, very clean, organized and modern. Dr. Valeriano, and all of his staff are very professional, friendly, and offered excellent care and service. I did such a good job of wearing my aligners, that I was able to finish my course of treatment 3 months ahead of schedule! I would highly recommend Dr. Valeriano to anyone considering Invisalign.
Dr. Valeriano, Tracey, Dana, and the rest of the team were all the best to work with and I’m super happy with my new smile! I highly recommend Dr V for all orthodontics!
Excellent experience with Valeriano Orthodontics. I appreciate the technology that he uses with Invisalign, part of which included the Smile Doctors app and a physical “scanbox” device which clipped to my phone. The scanbox allowed me to take weekly checkup videos from the comfort of my home, and the ability to receive/send messages from/to the doctor. In the middle of my treatment, I had to relocate to another city and this system was vital in allowing me to continue my treatment with Dr. Valeriano, rather than having to transfer my care to another doctor. I also appreciate that he offers an interest free in-house finance plan. The office is in a great location, very clean, organized and modern. Dr. Valeriano, and all of his staff are very professional, friendly, and offered excellent care and service. I did such a good job of wearing my aligners, that I was able to finish my course of treatment 3 months ahead of schedule! I would highly recommend Dr. Valeriano to anyone considering Invisalign.
We have been very pleased with Dr. Valeriano and Dr. Moon. My son has been in braces for one year and my daughter will start as soon as she decides to lose some baby teeth! I love their conservative approach in that early treatment is only recommended when absolutely necessary. I see a lot of young kids with expanders and braces and it seems a bit ridiculous. I sent a friend over to Dr Valeriano whose twin sons were about to have permanent teeth extracted due to another orthodontist’s recommendation. Dr Valeriano was able to treat them both with braces only, no oral surgery appointments, and they are keeping their perfectly healthy teeth that never needed to be extracted in the first place.
48
Total Reviews
5
Star Average Rating
The Benefits of Early Intervention
- Enables correct biting and chewing
- Corrects harmful oral habits
- Intercepts developing problems
- Guide the growth of the jawbones for better alignment and straighter teeth
- Lowers the risk of damage to protruding front teeth
- Guides permanent teeth into a more favorable position
- Establishes jaw and teeth structure for long-term stability
- Improves appearance
- Reduces or negates treatment as a teenager
How To Tell If Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Treatment:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (before age 5, after age 13)
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumbsucking after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other)
- Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner or even at all
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes their mouth
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
