Early Orthodontic Treatment in Wake Forest & Clayton, NC

Knowing when to start orthodontic treatment is key to enjoying a healthier smile. Learn about the professionals at Vinson Orthodontics and set your child up for a lifetime of smiles during a complimentary appointment.

What is Early/Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment?

Early or interceptive orthodontic treatment, also known as phase one orthodontic treatment, refers to treatment that begins when children still have most of their baby teeth.

This type of intervention aims to guide a child’s growth and development and address certain kinds of malocclusions. Malocclusions include problems with the size, position, or spacing of the teeth or jaws. The final goal is that treatment is easier and more effective in the future.

Complex and expensive treatments or surgery may be required if some orthodontic issues are not addressed early on. With early orthodontic treatment, issues are corrected before they have a chance to become more serious problems.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment can help your child avoid many common dental issues in the future. It can also prepare your child for successful orthodontic treatment in their teenage years, also called phase two treatment.

Interceptive treatment can help:

Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches
Gain space for permanent teeth
Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions
Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
Correct thumb sucking
Eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems.

Crooked and crowded teeth, excessive space from the premature loss of baby teeth, and other malocclusions can lead to a host of complications and dental diseases as children grow up.

Learn more about the benefits of early orthodontic treatment during a complimentary consultation.

What Does Interceptive Treatment Include and What Problems Does Early Treatment Address?

Early orthodontic treatment can take many forms. Every child is unique, and Dr. Vinson will devise a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Early treatment aims to correct the growth of the jaw and specific bite problems and make room for permanent teeth to develop correctly. These treatments lessen the odds of needing costly procedures in the future.

Interceptive orthodontic treatment may include:

Expansion of the upper jaw to eliminate a crossbite

Expansion of one or both jaws to create space for overly crowded teeth

Early removal of specific baby teeth to facilitate the proper eruption of permanent teeth

Maintaining space for permanent teeth after the premature loss of a baby tooth

Reducing the protrusion of upper incisors to decrease the likelihood of fracture from trauma

Additionally, treatment could involve a fixed or removable device or appliance used to move teeth, change the jaw’s position, or hold teeth in place to make desirable changes.

Does My Child Need Early Treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This age range is when the first set of permanent molars are in, and the teeth, jaw, and gums are still flexible.

The vast majority of children will not need Phase 1 treatment. However, early treatment may be necessary if your child has any of these issues:

Teeth crowding
Overbites and underbites
Crossbite (misalignment of back teeth caused by a constricted palate)
Jaw irregularities (unevenness in the upper and lower jaw)
Narrow dental arches (from thumb-sucking and pacifier habits)
Early loss of primary teeth with drift of adult teeth
Family history of impacted teeth
Protruding teeth at risk for trauma or causing social distress (teasing)

At Vinson Orthodontics, we offer an orthodontic supervisory program. This complimentary program helps us determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible results. We usually see the patients on recall every 6-8 months to observe their progress as they grow.

During your orthodontic supervisory visits, we monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth. We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit.

Interceptive orthodontic treatment is the first step toward a lifetime of dental health. Get your child started on the road to good health by scheduling an orthodontic supervisory appointment today!

We are the Leader in Phase One Orthodontic Treatment

It is never too soon to start the journey to a healthy, beautiful smile. With offices in Wake Forest and Clayton, Vinson Orthodontics is ready to answer any questions you may have about interceptive orthodontic treatment.