Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment – Houston, TX
Minimizing the Need for Extensive Future Orthodontic Intervention While Enhancing Airway Function
Our team at Hall Orthodontics & TMJ as well as the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation at seven years old. This is because Dr. Hall offers early intervention with Phase 1 orthodontics in Houston to address more serious cases of bite misalignment, crowding, and rotation. This allows your child to avoid needing more extensive and invasive orthodontic treatment as a teenager. Call our office today to learn more about Phase 1 orthodontics and whether your child can benefit from it.
Why Choose Hall Orthodontics & TMJ for Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
- Over 28 Years of Experience with Interceptive Orthodontics and Growth Modification
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance Plans
- Orthodontic Treatment Options for Patients of All Ages
What Is Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Phase 1 orthodontics is for children who don’t yet have all of their permanent teeth and whose facial structures are still developing. Typically, the process consists of orthodontic appliances that could include expansion appliances, space maintainers, and sagittal expanders. What type of early intervention your child will need will depend on the unique orthodontic problems they face, such as dental crowding, tooth spacing, bite alignment,and jaw development. This phase of your child’s orthodontic treatment typically lasts about 12 months.
Does My Child Need Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
Your child could benefit from Phase 1 orthodontics if:
- They have crowded, crooked, or excessively spaced teeth.
- They have protruding teeth.
- Their bite doesn’t fit together correctly.
- If they snore or grind their teeth at night.
- They have habits that can impact their orthodontic health, like thumb-sucking.
- They have problems breathing comfortably.
- They have speech impairments.
- They have adult teeth that can’t grow in past their baby teeth.
Whether you notice these signs that could point towards the need for early interceptive orthodontics, bringing your child in for a comprehensive examination is always an excellent idea!
What Happens After Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Phase 1 orthodontics is typically completed within nine to 12 months, and once their treatment is finished, they’ll have some time before beginning Phase 2. This is typically geared toward correcting the alignment of their permanent teeth and is usually recommended to be started around the age of 10 to 12 years. This is when most of their permanent teeth have grown in, and they no longer have their baby teeth. In some cases, Phase 2 intervention may not even be necessary if their orthodontic issues were able to be completely addressed during the previous phase of treatment.
Phase 1 Orthodontics FAQs
Orthodontic care for your child may cause some anxiety for parents, but Dr. Hall and our team are ready to guide you through the process! In the meantime, you may be eager to gather more information about the road ahead. Below, you will find answers to some important FAQs. If you do not see your specific questions included here, call our office. We look forward to speaking with you! We have been treating children for over 28 years
Is Phase 1 Orthodontics Painful?
We try to make treatment as comfortable as possible for patients. However, a degree of discomfort is still to be expected. After all, orthodontic appliances work by applying strategic pressure to parts of the mouth! Usually, the discomfort is at its worst in the first few days after an appliance is placed or adjusted.
Here are a few tips to make things a bit easier for your child:
- Give them age-appropriate doses of over-the-counter pain medications.
- Make sure they have plenty of soft snacks to enjoy.
- Give them cool water to sip on.
Keep in mind that, while it is unpleasant to see your child experience discomfort, orthodontic treatment actually has the potential to spare them from much worse pain in the future.
Is It Okay for a Child to Play Sports While Wearing Braces?
Sports and exercise are great for kids, and we would never want to discourage your little one from participating! Still, some important precautions are in order. For example, a sports guard can be vital for preventing damage to teeth, braces, and other orthodontic appliances.
If your child is ever involved in a sports accident that damages their orthodontic gear, call our practice right away for guidance.
How Do I Know My Child Needs Phase 1 Orthodontics?
It is recommended that all children visit an orthodontist by the age of 7 so they can undergo a checkup. At this appointment, Dr. Hall and our team can evaluate the positioning of your child’s teeth and bite in order to determine if phase 1 orthodontic care is necessary.
Bringing your child to see us is especially important if you notice that they have obvious signs of dental misalignment. For example, noticeably crooked or crowded teeth, poor positioning of the lower jaw, and biting or eating difficulties are all issues that deserve professional attention.
What Appliances Are Used in Phase 1 Interceptive Orthodontics?
Phase 1 orthodontics has many advantages since it can positively influence the growth of the Childs mouth and lower face. Phase I Interceptive orthodontics can also prevent the need for extraction of permanent teeth in many cases. In the past more permanent teeth were extracted to make space, before the benefits of Phase I Interceptive orthodontics were understood. Dr. Hall has been utilizing Phase I Interceptive Orthodontics for over 28 years.
- Palatal expanders. A palatal expander (sometimes called a RPE or Spreader) is a device that encourages growth in the upper dental arch. It can help to create space for a child’s permanent teeth, address cross bites, and enhance airway capacity.
- Space maintainer. These are used to preserve space in a dental arch where a baby tooth was lost prematurely.
- Limited braces. These may be placed only on select teeth.
- Sagittal appliances. These are used to treat excess overbite, excess underbite, and improve a child’s occlusion (bite).
- A retainer is usually necessary after orthodontic treatment to maintain the results.
Does Phase 1 Orthodontics Affect Diet?
If your child has a removable orthodontic appliance, they should not wear it when they eat. A soft diet of foods are recommended while wearing orthodontic appliances. A soft diet can help to mitigate any discomfort or broken appliances.
If your child has braces or another fixed appliance, there may be further dietary restrictions. Things like sticky candies, popcorn, chips, and certain raw veggies and fruits may pose a risk of damage to orthodontic appliances. Therefore, they should be avoided.
How Long Does Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment last?
On average, phase 1 orthodontic treatment takes about 12 months. However, that can vary from case to case. It depends on the extent of each patient’s orthodontic problems, their compliance with instructions, and other factors. When you bring your child in for their consultation, we can provide a timeline estimate for their care.
After they finish orthodontic treatment, they may need to use a retainer for an extended period so their teeth stay in their proper places.
What Happens After Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Some patients require no additional care after they complete phase 1 orthodontics. Aside from wearing a retainer, they may be completely done with orthodontic treatment!
Other kids need to return for phase 2 treatment, which usually starts a year or so after the completion of phase 1. For phase 2, it is important that all or most of the patient’s permanent teeth have erupted.
Is Phase 1 Orthodontics Covered by Insurance?
Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of phase 1 orthodontics. Our team welcomes insurance, and we can help you figure out how your family’s benefits apply. You can also expect us to be straightforward with you about your financial obligation. If you need further assistance to pay for your child’s care, we offer convenient financing options.