Early treatment that guides jaw growth at the right age, often preventing bigger problems later.
Why Some Children Benefit from Early Treatment While a child is still growing, the jaw is easier to guide. Treating certain problems early can make room for adult teeth, correct a developing bite, reduce the risk of a tooth being damaged, and lower the chance of needing more complex treatment or extractions later. Not every child needs early treatment, and part of our job is telling you honestly when it is better to simply watch and wait.
What Phase 1 Treatment Involves Depending on what we find, early treatment might use a palatal expander to widen a narrow jaw, a partial set of braces to guide specific teeth, a space maintainer to hold room for an adult tooth, or a habit appliance. The aim is not a perfect smile yet, it is healthy growth. A second phase, if needed, comes later once more adult teeth are in.
By age 7, per the American Association of Orthodontists. Enough adult teeth are in to spot bite and jaw issues early, even if treatment comes later.
It is early treatment done while a child still has some baby teeth, to guide jaw growth and correct developing problems. It can prevent or simplify later treatment.
Not always. Some children need only Phase 1, others need a later phase once more adult teeth are in. We tell you honestly which is likely.
Only for some children. When it helps, it prevents bigger problems. When it does not, we recommend watching and waiting rather than treating early for no reason.
