Sep
At Global Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Edgar Mendieta and our team love making smiles brighter and healthier! If you’ve heard about Phase 1 orthodontic treatment for kids and are curious about what it entails, you’ve come to the right place. At our Columbus, Ohio, area practice, we know parents want the best for their children, and understanding when and why orthodontic care is needed can help ensure their smile develops beautifully. Let’s look at a few common questions about Phase 1 orthodontic treatment so you can feel confident in making informed decisions for your child’s oral health.
Phase 1 treatment, sometimes called early interceptive treatment, is orthodontic care that starts while a child’s baby teeth are still present. It addresses developmental issues, like jaw growth, alignment problems, and space for emerging adult teeth, before they become more severe. It helps to lay the groundwork for a healthy smile.
At Global Smiles Orthodontics, we recommend bringing your child to see an orthodontist by age 7. Around this age, children’s jaws and teeth are still growing, and early problems like crowding or bite misalignments can often be spotted. The earlier we identify potential concerns, the easier it is to guide their development.
Signs your child might benefit from Phase 1 treatment include concerns such as crowded teeth, difficulty chewing, thumb-sucking past age four, or an underbite or overbite. During an evaluation, Dr. Edgar Mendieta and his team can carefully assess your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite to determine if treatment is needed.
Every patient is different, but during Phase 1, treatments might include appliances such as expanders, space maintainers, or even partial braces. These are used to guide proper development. The goal is to treat issues early so adult teeth have the space and alignment they need to emerge correctly.
While Phase 1 helps address major issues early, your child may still need Phase 2 treatment (like full braces or clear aligners) once all their permanent teeth come in. Phase 1 often makes future treatment shorter and simpler by preventing severe problems.
Many dental insurance plans will help to cover the costs of Phase 1 treatment, but coverage varies. We’ll work with you to verify your benefits and create a payment plan that fits your family’s budget. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality orthodontic care!
If you think your child might benefit from Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, Dr. Edgar Mendieta and the team at Global Smiles Orthodontics are here for you! Schedule an upcoming consultation at our Columbus, Ohio office today by calling (614) 230-0374 and see how early care can make a big difference for your little one’s smile. Our office is at 3160 West Broad Street and is open to new and returning patients and families.