In addition to being quite the mouthful, “phase I orthodontics” isn’t exactly a term you hear every day. It makes perfect sense if you’re wondering who it’s for and what sorts of issues it can treat.
One of the reasons you might not have heard of phase I orthodontics is because it’s for a very specific set of patients: children who still have some or all of their baby teeth. If your young child has less-than-straight teeth, keep reading to see if they’d be a good candidate for this treatment.
The Goal of Phase I Orthodontics
Baby teeth will eventually be replaced by a set of pearly permanent teeth, so many parents are confused as to why their orthodontist might recommend straightening them out with orthodontics. The reasoning is actually quite simple – baby teeth guide emerging permanent teeth into place.
In other words, if a baby tooth is crooked, the odds of its replacement tooth growing in crooked is higher. The goal of phase I orthodontics, then, is to correct a child’s dental alignment early to help prevent the need for more complex treatment later in life.
Who is A Good Candidate for Phase I Orthodontics?
Phase I orthodontics is ideal for children who have a mix of baby and adult teeth. Every child’s smile develops a bit differently, but to give you an idea of when that might be, the average age-range for phase I orthodontics is between 6 and 11 years old.
Of course, not every child needs phase I orthodontics. It’s a good idea to schedule regular appointments with a children’s orthodontist so they can professionally monitor your little one’s dental development. They’ll keep an out eye for signs of:
- Overcrowding (teeth that are positioned too close together or are overlapping)
- Malocclusion (jaw misalignments such as an overbite or underbite)
- Teeth that have erupted in the wrong location
- Large gaps between teeth
- Dental misalignment (crooked teeth)
Children who continue to suck their thumb or pacifier past the age of 3 are also at higher risk of developing orthodontic issues, and troubles with speaking or eating can indicate dental misalignment or malocclusion. Definitely let your child’s orthodontist know if either of these situations applies to your little one!
Will Phase I Orthodontics Fix Misalignment?
It’s important to remember that the goal of phase I orthodontics is to prevent the need for more complex treatment farther down the road. While many children who receive phase I orthodontics do avoid needing braces or clear aligners as teenagers, some will require additional corrections after all of their permanent teeth have erupted. The good news is the extent of corrections will likely be less than if they hadn’t received phase I orthodontics.
To sum everything up, phase I orthodontics are for young children who show early signs of dental or jaw misalignment. This treatment helps move both baby teeth and permanent teeth into more ideal positions, which in turn corrects how future permanent teeth grow in. If your child has overcrowded or crooked pearly whites, phase I orthodontics could improve their experience with teenaged orthodontics or eliminate the need for future treatment altogether!
About the Author
Dr. Payam Ishani is a highly skilled orthodontist with a child-friendly office based in Oklahoma City. He and his team provide a variety of advanced orthodontic treatments, including phase I orthodontics. If you believe your child might benefit from some early teeth-straightening intervention, contact Dr. Ishani’s office at 405-805-0997.