In the past, it was common to wait until children were around 12 or 13 years old before beginning orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists at the time felt that children needed to lose all their primary teeth and have their 12-year-old molars before they could apply braces to their teeth. Today,Phase 1 orthodontic treatment in Omaha, NE, can begin as early as age six or as late as age 11.

Understanding Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment
The purpose of a child receiving braces at such a young age is to prevent severe alignment problems and potential oral health issues when they get older. The orthodontic staff at Pedodontics, P.C. may opt to treat children in two phases to ensure they have straight and healthy teeth. Many children still have some baby teeth when we start Phase 1.

Instead of extracting permanent teeth to leave room for the other teeth to shift during orthodontic treatment, we place space maintainers after your child has lost some baby teeth to prepare them for more intensive treatment later. The early phase typically involves using a palatal expander or temporarily wearing braces.

Resting period between phases
After completing Phase 1, your child will go through a resting period of several months to a few years before starting Phase 2. The resting period is necessary to allow the rest of your child’s permanent teeth to erupt. The second phase is usually shorter than the first phase, and your child may wear a retainer or headgear at night to ensure that the teeth do not drift back into their previous positions.

Visit Us to Learn More About Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
Parents are often surprised to learn that their elementary-aged child is eligible forPhase 1 orthodontic treatment in Omaha, NE. We welcome you to schedule a consultation to discuss it with your child’s dentist.