Concerned that your child may need early orthodontic treatment? The recommends that your child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. If your child is age 7 or older, there’s never been a better time to schedule a consultation with our orthodontist in Greenville and Grand Rapids, MI.
Moderate to severe orthodontic issues will not resolve on their own. As a result, Dr. Herremans may recommend to get your child on the right path.
Phase 1 Orthodontics
The goal of two-phase treatment is to address complex orthodontic issues before they have the opportunity to worsen. There’s a limited window of opportunity in which your child is still growing and undergoing dental development.
At this time, we’re able to help the jaw develop so that it’ll be able to accommodate all of your child’s permanent teeth. Interceptive orthodontics can also greatly reduce your child’s risk of needing jaw surgery later in life.
Resting Period
After Phase 1 orthodontics, there should be sufficient space in the jaw for the remaining adult teeth to erupt. This greatly reduces your child’s risk of experiencing impacted or displaced teeth, compared to if they had never had Phase 1 treatment. Depending on your child’s circumstances, they may or may not need to wear a retainer at this time.
Phase 2 Orthodontics
The goal of Phase 2 orthodontics is to ensure your child’s teeth go to their final positions. In general, you can expect your child to need full upper and lower braces. Alternatively, they may wear clear orthodontic aligners to guide their teeth and jaws. Once Phase 2 is completed, your child will need to wear a retainer for the rest of their life to ensure they maintain their picture-perfect results.