Early Treatment

Early Treatment (also known as Phase I Treatment)

A beautiful smile and good dental health make a difference in your child’s well-being and self-confidence. While braces for teens are more common, occasionally early intervention can pave the way for a better final outcome as your child continues to grow and develop.

The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends for your child’s first visit to the orthodontist to take place by age 7. For a jaw growth problem or tooth problem, it might be necessary for this first visit to take place as early as age 5 or 6. Treatment may not start when we first see a young patient but it is important for us to evaluate their growth and dental eruption. We see our child patients for regular complimentary recall examinations every 6 to 12 months. This process helps us to make the best recommendations at the most appropriate time.

Some children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws. However, unless is it truly necessary, at Shoreline we try to avoid early intervention and wait for all of the permanent teeth to erupt and do only one phase of treatment.

Things to look for in your child:

• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Grinding of teeth, especially at night
• Mouth breathing
• Finger sucking or other oral habits
• Crowding, misplaced or blocked teeth
• Jaw shifting or clicking
• Severe malalignment causing social concerns