Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase I orthodontics, plays a crucial role in guiding your child’s dental development. At Wire Orthodontics, we recommend scheduling an initial evaluation around age 7, when your child’s permanent teeth have started to emerge and their jaw is still growing. At this stage, our orthodontist can identify potential issues and intervene proactively, which often reduces the complexity or duration of future treatment.
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment
By beginning orthodontic care early, we can take advantage of your child’s natural growth patterns to guide their teeth and jaw into better alignment. This approach helps us address orthodontic concerns before they become more severe. Early orthodontic treatment in Liberty Lake and Spokane, Washington, can improve oral function, prevent overcrowding and establish a healthier foundation for your child’s smile.
One of the primary goals of early orthodontics is to correct issues such as crossbites, open bites, protruding front teeth and underdeveloped dental arches. These problems, if left untreated, can lead to chewing difficulties, speech problems and even an increased risk of trauma to protruding teeth. Treating them early minimizes the need for more invasive procedures down the line.
What to Expect During Early Treatment
If your child is a candidate for early orthodontic care, treatment may involve appliances such as expanders, limited braces or space maintainers. These appliances are designed to gently guide the teeth and jaw into more favorable positions while your child’s bones are still developing. In many cases, early intervention makes it easier for permanent teeth to erupt properly and reduces the likelihood of tooth extractions in the future.
The process typically lasts between six to 18 months, depending on your child’s specific needs. After Phase I treatment, we may recommend a resting period followed by Phase II treatment, usually involving full braces or aligners when all permanent teeth have come in.
The Importance of Regular Monitoring
Even if early treatment is not immediately necessary, regular orthodontic checkups allow Dr. Wire to monitor your child’s dental growth and anticipate future needs. Dr. Clint Wire will assess bite alignment, jaw development and spacing to ensure your child’s smile stays on track.
Early orthodontics in Liberty Lake and Spokane, WA, is an investment in your child’s lifelong oral health. Contact our office today at 509-892-9284 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wire and discover how we can help your child enjoy a confident, healthy smile for years to come.