Your Family Orthodontist in Rochester, NY
Early Treatment (Invisalign First)
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Healthy Smiles Right From the Start
Did you know that the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children visit an orthodontist by age seven? Early Treatment is a proactive approach designed to prevent abnormal development and encourage proper tooth eruption. This treatment is perfect for children with mixed dentition, which is a combination of adult teeth and baby teeth.
Early Treatment, such as Invisalign palatal expanders, space maintainers, and Invisalign First, can improve the look of your child’s smile while also transforming the function and aesthetic of their future smile. Receiving Early Treatment can help prevent more extensive treatment later on and can even reduce the need for further orthodontic treatment.
Early interceptive treatment focuses on correcting specific problem areas and typically lasts anywhere from 6-12 months. After your child’s treatment is complete, our team at Wiktorski Orthodontics will continue to monitor their teeth and evaluate when further treatment is necessary.
Does My Child Need Early Orthodontic Treatment?
There are several signs you can look for that will indicate whether or not your child is a good candidate for early treatment. These signs include:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Crowded or misaligned teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Protruding teech
- Jaw shifting or popping
- Mouth breathing
If our team determines that early orthodontic treatment is necessary for your child, then Dr. Wiktorski will create a custom treatment plan to proactively correct your child’s orthodontic issues.
Early Orthodontic Treatment FAQs
At your child’s first appointment, we will evaluate their smile and potential treatment needs. If you have any questions before your child’s appointment, feel free to browse our FAQs below, or call our office directly and we will make sure all of your questions are answered.
What is early orthodontic treatment?
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment is early intervention for children, usually between ages 6 and 10, to address developing dental and jaw issues before all permanent teeth come in. It helps guide proper growth and can reduce the need for more extensive treatment later.
When should my child have their first orthodontic evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7. At this stage, an orthodontist can identify potential issues and determine if early treatment is necessary.
What problems can early orthodontic treatment fix?
Early treatment can address bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite), jaw growth issues, excessive crowding, protruding teeth, and harmful oral habits that may affect dental development.
What types of treatments are used in early orthodontics?
Treatments may include Invisalign expanders to widen the jaw, space maintainers, Invisalign First, and habit-correcting appliances to address issues like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Is early orthodontic treatment necessary for every child?
No, not all children need Invisalign First or Invisalign Expanders. Some may have orthodontic concerns that can wait until adolescence. Dr. Wiktorski will determine if early intervention is beneficial.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
Early treatment can help prevent more severe dental problems, guide jaw development, reduce the need for extractions, improve facial symmetry, and make future orthodontic treatment easier and shorter.
Do you offer Phase 1 treatment for young children?
At Wiktorski Orthodontics, we don’t follow the traditional Phase I and Phase II treatment model. Instead, we offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both an orthopedic phase and an orthodontic phase, designed to support your child’s smile from start to finish.
The orthopedic phase is focused on younger children whose teeth or jaws may not be developing properly. During this time, we guide growth to ensure proper form and function. Once this phase is complete, we monitor your child in a holding phase until their permanent teeth come in. We follow up with limited orthodontic treatment to fine-tune any remaining issues and to ensure your child receives their dream smile.
This full-spectrum approach gives you peace of mind – knowing that from the very beginning to your child’s perfect smile, Wiktorski Orthodontics has you covered every step of the way.