Early Treatment/Phase 1 Treatment in Los Angeles
For many orthodontic issues, sometimes the most essential treatment is simply catching them early. At Best Brace Place Dental, we excel at detecting orthodontic issues before your child is negatively affected and drawing up a plan for their treatment. So don’t let problems with your smile or bite sneak up on you; come to our office for early treatment, and ensure a future full of straight, shining smiles.
What is Phase I Treatment, and Why Do I Need It?
Changes in your tooth and jaw structure happen very slowly, which means potential issues with your smile and bite can usually be caught early. Our professional Los Angeles orthodontist can catch any problems you may encounter in the future and make sure you are receiving the early treatment you need to avoid them. This is generally a treatment for young children whose teeth and jaw are still developing, around six to nine years of age.
Phase 1 treatment is a treatment that addresses issues such as the following:
- Cleft lip/palette
- Misaligned teeth
- Baby teeth that won’t fall out
- Negative habits (such as thumb-sucking)
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- and more
Phase 1 treatment generally occurs while your child still has their baby teeth (treatment that is employed when they have permanent teeth is called “phase 2”). While your child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, their movements and placements will help shape your child’s jaw for years to come, so monitoring their movement is essential.
What Can I Expect From Phase 1 Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment can involve a variety of methods. These include:
- traditional braces
- retainers
- space maintainers
- headgear
- and more
In some cases, it may simply be a matter of getting your child to fix certain habits. For example, if your child is still sucking their thumb at this age, this may cause issues with their bite. If your child talks with a tongue that thrusts through their front teeth, this may be a sign of a muscular imbalance which should be corrected.
While your child may feel strange about having braces during a stage when most of their friends do not yet, it’s important to remember that the purpose of phase 1 treatment is to ensure that they can have the best smile possible later in life. Early treatments can lead to permanent rewards for your child’s smile!
Are There Any Issues I Should Be Aware of Regarding Phase 1 Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment can involve a certain level of commitment that your child will need to be ready for. The treatment may be uncomfortable at times, and your child will need to put more effort into their oral hygiene than they might be used to. You shouldn’t skip brushing your teeth in general, but you have to be extra careful not to when receiving the treatment.
In some cases, a child with phase 1 treatment may feel burnt out before they begin phase 2 treatment or braces later in their life. This is why most orthodontists recommend a period in-between treatments where your child can have a break from having retainers or braces in their mouth. Then, ideally, they’ll be old pros when they receive regular braces on their permanent teeth!
What is the Difference Between Phase 1 and Phase 2 Treatments?
The most significant difference between Phases 1 and 2 is that Phase 1 treatment is that the former is built on preventing orthodontic problems, whereas the latter is oriented around fixing them.
- Phase 1 braces are meant for baby teeth and usually only last a year.
- Phase 2 braces are applied when your child has their permanent teeth in place and are generally employed for 12-36 months.
Call Today!
It’s natural for any child and parent couple to have questions about such early treatment, but our Los Angeles Orthodontist will happily answer any of them! Call today, and we will examine your child’s specific situation to help determine what, if any, early treatment would be best.
