Orthodontic therapy is a process that takes advantage of your body’s natural growth patterns and anatomical characteristics. Since our Granite Bay patients get braces or aligners at various ages, the treatment is adapted to their unique situation. But sometimes, major tooth misalignment and growth concerns can be prevented before they start. The key is to intervene early while the jaws and orofacial structures are still developing. We call this phase of orthodontic therapy “early interceptive orthodontics” or “Phase 1 Ortho.”
Interceptive orthodontics takes advantage of your child’s rapidly growing facial structures and developing smile to minimize issues like:
- Impacted teeth
- Crowding or gaps
- Overbites and underbites
- Overjets and underjets
- Crossbites
- Jaw irregularities
During interceptive orthodontics, Dr. Milstein adapts the therapy to guide your child’s developing teeth and jaws into a more anatomically correct position. By intervening early, future orthognathic surgeries or complex orthodontic treatment can potentially be eliminated or minimized.
Phase 1 Ortho
Interceptive orthodontics adapt your child’s developing smile for optimal health. Then, later on, the second phase of orthodontic appliances or aligners is used to fine-tune the bite (“Phase 2 Ortho”). Two-phase treatments aren’t necessary for everyone, but they can be exceptionally useful when there are hereditary or growth pattern concerns.
The ideal time to initiate early interceptive orthodontics is usually no younger than age 7. At that point in a child’s development, Dr. Milstein can evaluate and predict growth patterns as they will affect your child’s future smile. Depending on the findings, Phase 1 braces may be recommended, or it could be best to monitor your child on a six-month to an annual basis.
Looking for an Experienced Orthodontist in Granite Bay?
Both the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic exam by age 7. Schedule your complimentary consultation at Marina Milstein Orthodontics today. We welcome patients of all ages at our Granite Bay and Auburn locations!
