“The earlier, the better” — this expression not only applies to your child’s homework but also to orthodontics. At Moon Orthodontics, we value the importance of early orthodontic intervention. Early treatment, known as Phase I treatment or interceptive orthodontics, begins when your child is between the ages of six and nine. Phase I treatment is often followed by Phase II treatment, which is aimed at 11- to 12-year-old children.
That being said, Dr. Moon and his expert team urge you to take charge of your child’s orthodontic health at an early age. This guide contains everything you need to know about early orthodontic intervention.
5 Reasons Why Early Orthodontic Intervention Is Important
Dr. Moon and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that your child have their first orthodontic consultation by age seven.
This is because seven-year-old children often have a healthy mix of baby and permanent teeth, making it easier for our experienced team to detect malocclusions and other oral issues. Below are five benefits of early orthodontic intervention:
Stops Oral Complications From Developing
Early orthodontic treatment is beneficial for your child’s long-term oral health. When malocclusions are left undiagnosed and untreated, they can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, gum disease, delayed or early loss of baby teeth, tooth decay, chewing and speech difficulties, and many more.
By letting your little one undergo Phase I treatment, Dr. Moon can detect the early signs of malocclusion, which include:
- Misaligned teeth
- Facial asymmetry
- Difficulty with biting food
- Mouth breathing
From there, our expert team can recommend metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign to ensure your child’s proper jaw and teeth development and prevent dental complications without surgery or tooth extraction.
Makes Treatment More Affordable
Early orthodontic treatment is always worth the investment. Through early intervention, your child can say goodbye to complex dental procedures, helping you save money in the long run. Although we believe orthodontics is for all ages, nothing beats nipping developing dental complications in the bud.
Ensures Faster Correction of Bite Problems
Because your child’s jaws and teeth are developing, they’re more flexible and pliable to change. Thanks to early orthodontic treatment, your little one will enjoy faster treatment, meaning they’ll see their new smile anytime soon.
While we offer orthodontic treatment for older patients in Overland Park and Olathe, we recommend not waiting until your little one’s malocclusion worsens as delaying bite correction potentially affects the speed of treatment.
Breaks the Habit of Thumb-Sucking
Developed as early as in their mother’s womb, thumb-sucking is normal among babies and younger children. When they thumb-suck, kids and infants relieve themselves of stress, anxiety, and discomfort. While some children stop sucking their thumb by the age of two to four years old, others carry this habit beyond five years of age.
For Dr. Moon, this spells trouble as prolonged and vigorous thumb-sucking affects the alignment of your kiddo’s teeth. As your child vigorously sucks their thumb, it causes the upper (overbite) or lower front teeth (underbite) to protrude from the jaw, or the front (anterior open bite) or back teeth (posterior open bite) on the upper and lower jaws don’t come into contact when the mouth is closed.
While there’s merit in informing your child about the risks of thumb-sucking, Dr. Moon’s experience in early orthodontic treatment helps speed up the process of breaking this habit.
Boosts Confidence In Smiling
Everyone, including kids, loves a good smile. For children, smiling not only expresses their current state of happiness but also brightens someone’s day. But when your little one has issues with their smile, their self-esteem plummets.
This is where Phase I treatment comes in. With early intervention by our expert team, we can correct your kid’s smile and give them a renewed sense of confidence in the classroom and beyond.
Is Early Orthodontic Intervention Really Necessary for My Child?
It depends on Dr. Moon’s assessment. If we find that your little one loves thumb-sucking or exhibits signs of a bite problem or jaw development issues, we’ll recommend Phase I treatment.
We may also suggest braces and let your child take a “braces break” before continuing this treatment option in Phase II. Even if your kiddo doesn’t need Phase I treatment, we highly recommend seeing our team for expert diagnosis and opinion.
Think of your Child’s Future Oral Health
Early orthodontic intervention can lead to better dental health and less financial stress. Schedule your child’s free consultation, and the Moon Orthodontics team will help them achieve their dream smile today.