Phase 1 Pediatric Orthodontics – Palm Harbor, FL
A Necessary First Step for a Great Smile
Most children get braces between the ages of 10 and 14, but if you want to give your little one a head start on a healthy, happy smile, you should schedule their first orthodontic visit around the age of 7. At this point, Dr. Johnson can detect and treat existing issues early on while they’re still easy to deal with. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your child, so they can achieve a great smile sooner rather than later with phase one pediatric orthodontics in Palm Harbor, FL.
Why Choose Dr. Alex Johnson Orthodontics
for Phase 1 Pediatric Orthodontics?
- Caring, Personable Orthodontic Team
- Orthodontist with 3 Decades of Experience
- A Holistic Approach to Orthodontic Care
What is Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Phase 1 Orthodontics refers to orthodontic care that occurs while a child still has some baby teeth and hasn’t yet received all of their permanent teeth. Even though misaligned baby teeth will fall out eventually, it’s important to make sure that they’re properly aligned. Crooked baby teeth could make it harder for your child to eat, speak, and breathe comfortably, and they’ll affect the way the permanent teeth erupt. Correcting problems in the baby teeth means avoiding larger problems later on.
Does My Child Need Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Not all children need early orthodontic intervention, but they may benefit from it if they have any of the following symptoms.
- Crooked, crowded, gapped, or otherwise misaligned teeth.
- The upper and lower jaw do not come together correctly.
- Non-nutritive habits like thumb sucking that can disrupt dental development.
- One jaw is disproportionately sized compared to the other.
- Baby teeth that are actively obstructing the adult teeth.
- Notable issues while speaking or chewing.
How Does Phase 1 Orthodontics Work?
During Phase 1 orthodontics, your child may wear a special oral appliance for a short time in order to correct any issues in the baby teeth while safeguarding the development of the permanent teeth as well as the jaw. For example, sometimes your child will need to undergo a limited phase of braces on specific teeth to make sure they are in the proper position. Making these types of corrections early on can reduce the amount of orthodontic work required later in life.
Our Integrative Orthodontic Approach
Throughout your child’s orthodontic journey, Dr. Johnson will keep a close eye on more than just the position of their teeth. If he notices that your child primarily breathes through their mouth, experiences orofacial pain, or is constantly tired because of sleeping problems, he can address all of these issues using an approach called Integrative Orthodontics. This more holistic method can improve a child’s overall health in addition to giving them an attractive smile.