What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age 7? When your child’s baby teeth grow in, they may show signs of orthodontic issues down the road. With early orthodontic treatment, you can help your child avoid any future discomfort or dental issues and treat it before it becomes a problem. It’s the best way to prevent extensive orthodontic treatment or costly dental procedures in the future.
Early orthodontic treatment — also known as Phase One treatment and interceptive orthodontic treatment — typically begins between age 7 and 9. The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, like underbite or overbite. Early treatment also helps make room and guidance for permanent teeth to grow properly, lessening the chances of extractions or any other serious orthodontic procedure in the future.
Your child may also need Phase Two treatment, which takes place between age 11 and the teenage and adult years, where it becomes general preventative treatment.
Issues Treated With Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Early orthodontic treatment can treat or significantly reduce the impact of a number of orthodontic issues, such as:
- Overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Jaw misalignment or growth problems
- Crowding of the teeth
- Too much space between the teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Airway issues or speech problems
- Missing or extra teeth
Some of these problems are naturally caused, while others are caused by behaviors or incidents, like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, injuries to the mouth, or early or late loss of baby teeth.
Is My Child a Candidate for Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Not every child is a candidate for Phase One orthodontic treatment. Some don’t need it at all, while others need to be closely monitored. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should discuss the possibility of early treatment with an orthodontist:
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty chewing and biting
- Speech issues, including lisps
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Protruding or crooked teeth
- Prolonged thumb sucking, usually after age 5
- Large gaps in between teeth or crowded teeth with no space
- Inability to properly close the jaw, or a shifting of the jaw when the mouth is opened or closed
- Popping, clicking, or grinding sounds when the jaw is moved around, opened, or closed
- Teeth that don’t come together properly or even at all
We often use palatal expanders for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment to address early issues related to dental and jaw alignment. They work by gradually widening the upper jaw to create more space for proper tooth positioning and improved bite alignment. Iverson & Wahab Orthodontics are experts in palatal expanders, and we use them to ensure the best oral health and proper facial development for your kid!
Early Orthodontic Treatment Reviews
Staff at all levels is highly professional, knowledgeable, and open to questions--from the orthodontics to the billing. The practice is well attuned and mindful of patients' and parents' needs. I have highly recommended this practice to friends.
Drs. Iverson and Wahab and their staff are wonderful to work with, always patient and kind. They do a great job making their pediatric clients comfortable during appointments and motivated to care for their teeth during the orthodontics process. Highly recommend.
We’ve had a great experience with Iverson & Wahab Orthodontics. The team is incredibly friendly, professional, and clearly very knowledgeable. Appointments run on time and are efficient, but they never feel rushed. What I appreciate most is that they truly care about their patients—both kids and parents feel heard and comfortable every step of the way. It’s the perfect balance of expertise and genuine care. Highly recommend!
We started with Iverson when our son was young with a palate expander, then returned a number of years later to complete orthodontic treatment that had started overseas. Seamless transition into continuation of care and we were able to finish the treatment successfully and in an efficient timeframe. This is a BUSY practice, but Drs. Iverson and Wahab have a wonderful approach and the rest of the staff is fantastic. We are absolutely pleased with the final outcomes and happy to have benefited from this Arlington institution!
This is my second time undergoing orthodontic treatment, and I am already enjoying this experience so much more than my last. The method used to apply the braces was incredibly efficient.. what previously took over three and a half hours was completed in just 40 minutes.Dr. Iverson and Wahaba both took the time to truly understand my goals and concerns. I really appreciate how personalized and thoughtful their approach has been. They are clearly focused on helping me achieve the smile I want, and that level of care and attention makes a huge difference. I highly recommend their practice!
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Screen Your Child for the Best Early Orthodontic Treatment
If your child between the ages of 7 and 8 is showing signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our office and our staff would love to schedule an appointment with you.
Our team at Iverson Orthodontics will provide your child with a comfortable, calming experience and initial exam. The findings will be discussed with you, and we can work together to decide on the best next steps for taking care of your child’s smile and answer any questions you might have about early treatment. We’re here to help.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you and your child to our office in Arlington, VA!
