Every parent wants the best for their child—especially when it comes to their health and confidence. While many people assume orthodontic treatment doesn't begin until all of the permanent teeth have erupted, some children benefit from treatment much earlier.
At Dexter Orthodontics, we carefully monitor children's growth and development to determine whether early orthodontic treatment, often called Phase I treatment, can help create a healthier smile and reduce the need for more complex treatment later.
Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase I treatment, usually begins while a child still has a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This often occurs between the ages of 7 and 10, when the jaws are still growing and certain orthodontic problems can be addressed more effectively.
It's important to remember that not every child needs Phase I treatment. An early orthodontic evaluation simply allows us to determine whether treatment would be beneficial or if continued observation is the best approach.
The purpose of Phase I treatment isn't simply to straighten teeth. Instead, it focuses on guiding healthy growth and creating the best possible foundation for the permanent teeth as they continue to erupt.
Depending on your child's needs, early treatment may help:
Addressing these concerns while your child is still growing can often make future treatment more efficient and predictable.
Once Phase I treatment is complete, most children enter a resting or observation period while the remaining permanent teeth continue to erupt naturally. During this time, we'll schedule periodic visits to monitor your child's growth and determine when additional treatment, if any, may be needed.
Some patients later benefit from Phase II Treatment, which focuses on final tooth alignment and bite correction using braces or Invisalign. Others may need very little additional treatment because many concerns were successfully addressed during Phase I.
No. In fact, many children never require Phase I treatment at all. They simply begin comprehensive orthodontic treatment after all—or nearly all—of their permanent teeth have erupted.
Other children benefit significantly from early treatment because of developing bite problems, jaw growth concerns, or crowding that can be addressed while they're still growing. Every child develops differently, which is why treatment recommendations are always personalized.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. This doesn't mean treatment will automatically begin at that age. Instead, it gives your orthodontist the opportunity to identify potential concerns early and determine the ideal time for treatment—if treatment is needed at all.
An early evaluation provides peace of mind for parents and helps ensure your child's smile develops as healthy as possible.
Every child's smile is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to orthodontic care. At Dexter Orthodontics, we create personalized treatment plans based on your child's growth, bite, and long-term oral health.
If you'd like to learn more about Phase I Treatment, explore how Phase II Treatment works after the permanent teeth erupt, or read about what happens if early orthodontic treatment is missed, we're here to help you understand every step of the process.
