July 31, 2024
Is Your Child Ready for Their First Visit to the Orthodontist?
As a parent, you love to see your kids smile! At Griggs Orthodontics, we know how important it is to take care of your favorite smiles. That is why we recommend bringing your child to see us sooner rather than later.
So when is the best time to schedule an orthodontic appointment for your child?
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that your child sees an orthodontic specialist at age 7. At that age your child's jaw is developed enough and they have enough permanent teeth for a trained orthodontist to spot any potential issues with your child's teeth, mouth and jaw. Orthodontists specialize in facial growth and development, often addressing issues that might be overlooked during routine dental visits. Early consultation with an orthodontist is important, not necessarily to treat every patient, but to identify and resolve potential problems before they escalate into more significant issues. A combination of growth monitoring and phase 1 treatment can help identify and correct orthodontic issues before they turn into larger, more complicated issues.
What is Phase 1 treatment?
Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, also called early interceptive orthodontics, is a problem-focused treatment plan, aiming to mitigate future orthodontic problems. When you bring your child into Griggs Orthodontics, we can assess your child's needs during the first consultation. Concerns such as crowding, large spacing, problematic facial growth, and bad habits, such as thumb-sucking, cheek-biting, or tongue-thrusting are also taken into consideration. At this assessment, our doctor will develop your child's individualized treatment plan and determine if phase 1 treatment is right for them.
What appliances are used in Phase 1 treatment?
During phase 1 treatment, a variety of appliances may be recommended by our doctor. Some are well-known, such as braces, expanders, and retainers. Other appliances that could possibly be used during phase 1 treatment include space maintainers, habit correcting appliances, and headgear. No matter what treatment plan is developed for your child, you can rest assured knowing that Dr. Henry Griggs is well-educated and has had specialized training to take excellent care of your child’s smile.
What are the benefits of Phase 1 treatment?
We talk a lot about early intervention in orthodontics because there are many benefits to undergoing orthodontic treatment as a child. Early treatment can begin the correction of significant problems, prevent additional problems from developing, and simplify future treatment, but oftentimes, additional treatment is still necessary. However, children who have undergone early orthodontic phase 1 treatment typically wear braces or Invisalign for a shorter period of time in their teen or adult years than those who have not undergone early intervention.
Is your child ready for treatment? No referral is needed for a complimentary consultation, click the link below to schedule an appointment with us today!