The Different Phases of Orthodontic Treatment
As kids begin to lose baby teeth and permanent teeth emerge in their place, issues in alignment and/or spacing can start to show. It’s recommended that kids have an orthodontic evaluation at age 7. That’s when Dr. Ferdinand Sabelis at Sturbridge Orthodontics can evaluate a child’s smile to determine if ortho treatment is needed. Not every child requires treatment. For the ones that do, however, early intervention helps their smiles stay in step and develop in a healthy manner.
Take it From the Top
For kids, Dr. Sabelis takes a phased approach to treatment. At the initial ortho evaluation, he can assess whether permanent teeth will have enough space to easily emerge into their appropriate spots. He can also identify issues with bite alignment, which is the way the top and bottom rows of teeth fit together. (A fancier word for this is “occlusion.”) Malocclusion occurs when the rows don’t align as they should. Examples include overbite, underbite, and crossbite.
If detected early, appropriate treatment can eliminate issues that might otherwise require more extensive treatment down the road. For example, a palate expander can correct crossbite to eliminate the issues associated with malocclusion.
Phase Two
Lots of kids who undergo interceptive, or early, ortho treatment don’t require treatment at a later age. Sometimes, early treatment sets the stage for less intensive treatment down the road. Either way, it’s a win-win situation for your child, as a healthy smile can be a huge benefit with regard to confidence and overall wellbeing.
Phase two treatment may include braces to align permanent teeth. At Sturbridge Orthodontics, we offer many types of braces to suit the unique needs of our patients. Choose from traditional metal braces, ortho with Damon self-ligating braces, or metal-free Invisalign aligners. Dr. Sabelis will guide you in the process to determine the optimal treatment option for your child’s needs.
Call Us Today at Sturbridge Orthodontics For Orthodontic Treatment
Contact our state-of-the-art ortho office in Sturbridge MA today to make an appointment for your child and help set the stage for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.