Although we are happy to provide orthodontic care to patients of all ages, some issues can be more easily resolved with early intervention. By the time your child turns 7 years old, Dr. Dale can examine them and detect potential orthodontic issues with their jaw development, the alignment of their bite, and the spacing and alignment of their erupting adult teeth. Then, they can provide treatment that mitigates these issues using effective, conservative methods called Phase 1 orthodontic treatment. Could your child benefit from Phase 1 orthodontics? Contact our team today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dale to find out!
Phase 1 Orthodontics – Chicago, IL
Proactive Orthodontic Care for Your Child
How Phase 1 Orthodontics Works
When evaluating a young patient, our doctors thoroughly check how their upper and lower teeth align. They can also review X-rays to analyze teeth that have not grown in yet. From this information, they can identify developmental concerns that will likely become problematic as the child continues to grow. Phase 1 treatment focuses primarily on creating enough space for the adult teeth to come in as straight as possible. To accomplish this, Dr. Dale can provide oral appliances that apply gentle pressure to their teeth, moving them to make room.
Why Phase 1 Treatment Is Important
In some cases, Phase 1 orthodontic treatment doesn’t completely address all misalignment. When this happens, our doctors can provide Phase 2 orthodontics, or traditional orthodontics, to correct any remaining issues as your child grows and develops. However, simple Phase 1 intervention can significantly reduce the severity of alignment issues and drastically shorten the timeline for Phase 2 treatment.
To learn more about Phase 1 orthodontics, you can make an appointment to speak with our doctors. They would be glad to answer any questions and see if this treatment can help your child.