Kids' orthodontic treatment
Pediatric orthodontist in Plano, TX
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should receive an orthodontic examination by the age of seven. This consultation can help determine whether your child needs early (Phase I) orthodontic treatment, or if they can wait until adolescence (Phase II) to receive orthodontic treatment.
Two-Phase orthodontic treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize an opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your child’s life. Putting off orthodontic treatment could result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your child’s smile. Early orthodontic treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results.
Phase One (Early treatment)
A foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles
The goal of Phase-One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age.
If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need to extract permanent teeth later. Not all children will need Phase I treatment.
- Planning now can save your child’s smile later: Children benefit tremendously from early-phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may avoid the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.
- Making records to determine your child’s unique treatment: Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your little one’s initial consultation, Dr. Gupta will take records to determine whether early treatment is necessary.
Resting period
In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement.
A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.
- Monitoring the teeth’s progress: At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a six-month basis.
Phase Two
Stay healthy and look attractive
The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase Two usually involves full upper and lower braces.
At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan were established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase to correct and realign the teeth and jaw.
The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure your child retains his or her beautiful smile.
Braces for kids
Gupta Orthodontics offers many types of braces for kids to choose from! Schedule your complimentary consultation with us to find out which option may be best for your kid.
- Damon® braces
Self-ligating metal Damon braces allow for faster treatment, less discomfort, and fewer appointments. Damon braces use a slide mechanism to hold the archwire, which reduces the amount of pressure exerted on the teeth and allows them to move more freely, quickly, and comfortably.
- Damon® Clear braces
Damon Clear braces are the most advanced, comfortable, and aesthetic clear bracket system on the market and do not discolor. Dr. Gupta is an expert Damon Braces provider and has been using the system for more than ten years.
