What Is Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and correction of a bad bite and other dental anomalies. You will need orthodontics near you when you want to get braces. A bad bite doesn’t just look unpleasant, it also makes teeth harder to clean. This can lead to tooth decay. Visit a specialist in orthodontics in Houston, TX for the correction of this problem. Orthodontics is grouped into phases and we will discuss the first phase in this article.
Phase 1 Orthodontics is also known as interceptive orthodontics. Your child can get Phase 1 Orthodontics near you when they’re between six to nine years of age. This is the period when they start to lose their baby teeth. It is important to go in for Phase 1 orthodontics in Houston. This is because irregularities in tooth and jaw development can be detected and acted upon. Experts say that a child should see an orthodontist on or before their seventh birthday. Phase 1 orthodontics in Houston, TX can easily correct any misalignment in jaw and tooth development at this stage. Read on to learn more about this crucial stage of orthodontic therapy.
Who Needs Phase 1 Orthodontics?
The moment you notice abnormal jaw or tooth development in a child, take them in to see an orthodontist. Children can suffer from a poor self-image and social anxiety when they are conscious of these irregularities. You do not want that to happen. Abnormal dentition can appear in several ways. Crowded or irregularly spaced teeth are dental problems. Some children have flaring of the upper teeth. For some, it’s the vertical space that appears between the front lower and upper teeth when biting down. This is known as an open bite. In an overbite, the upper front teeth stick out over the lower teeth. The reverse is the case for an underbite. Children who have finger-sucking habits also need phase 1 orthodontics in Houston, TX.
Some children may not qualify for phase 1 orthodontic treatment. Children with poor oral hygiene and cavities will not benefit much from orthodontic treatment. These issues need to be taken care of. A child that cannot comply with the dietary restrictions when using braces is not qualified to. Orthodontic treatment in these groups can cause more harm than good.
How Does Phase 1 Orthodontics Work?
Phase 1 orthodontics works to correct the misaligned jaw or teeth of your child. With the use of orthodontic appliances, orthodontists will guide the eruption of permanent teeth into the correct alignment. The treatment usually lasts from nine months to a year depending on the needs of your child. Orthodontists use appliances like a palate expander, specialized retainers, space maintainers, orthodontic headgear for treatment. An orthodontist can decide to use early braces made of metal or gold to achieve realignment. This has many advantages. They will be able to guide this period during which the jaw and teeth are growing actively in the right direction. This way, they can correct any problems with dentition such as overbites and overcrowding.
If a child isn’t ready for orthodontic treatment, the dentist will place them under observation. The monitoring period will last until the treatment can commence.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
Children who have felt bad about their appearance begin to feel good when treatment starts. This improves their confidence and self-esteem and translates to a better performance in school. Crooked teeth can affect the ability to speak and eat. This problem is corrected with orthodontic treatment. The correction of a child’s bite early in life lays a foundation for a lifetime of good dental health. It becomes easier to clean the teeth and gums reducing the potential for tooth decay. Phase 1 Orthodontics can also help to break bad habits like thumb sucking.
Early orthodontic treatment has some disadvantages too. There’s a risk of decreased oral hygiene during treatment leading to tooth decay. Orthodontists worry a lot about this outcome. The treatment also requires considerable financial and time commitment. A child can miss school as a result. Some children don’t like the treatment process. In their defense, treatment can be uncomfortable. The diet restrictions can make early orthodontic treatment undesirable too.
You can rest assured that phase 1 orthodontic treatment is the best way to correct your child’s abnormal dentition.