Children's Orthodontic Care to Guide Oral Development
As children grow, orthodontic issues can emerge. An orthodontic assessment around age seven helps identify how your child’s smile is developing and whether early care may be helpful.
Early (Phase 1) orthodontics involves guiding jaw development during key stages of growth to encourage healthy alignment as your child’s smile develops. Rather than waiting until the teeth and jaws are fully developed, early treatment may be recommended to work with your child’s natural growth and gently guide tooth and bite alignment in a timely, age-appropriate way.
It can also help address many of the common oral problems that children face as they grow up – including speech and eating issues, snoring, teeth grinding, thumb sucking, and more.
At our Calgary orthodontic clinic, we offer jaw growth guidance with palatal expanders, as well as Spark Junior or Invisalign First clear aligners and traditional braces for our young patients.
Complimentary Consultation for Children
If you or your general dentist have questions about your child’s orthodontic development, an assessment with an orthodontist may be helpful. At Surrideo Orthodontics, we offer a complimentary initial orthodontic evaluation to help families better understand their child’s jaw growth, needs, and possible next steps.
Early intervention, also known as Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, is for children between the ages of seven and 11 who have developing bite, misalignment, or airway problems.
Phase 1 can include a variety of orthodontic treatments. The most common are palatal expansion, braces, and Spark Junior or Invisalign First aligners.
If treatment is needed, we will develop a personalized plan that takes both early and later phases of orthodontic care into account. This approach allows us to plan care with long-term needs in mind, and adjust treatment as your child’s growth unfolds.
Phase 1 also includes:
- Planning for the next phase
Phase 1 treatment is essentially preparation for Phase 2. Early orthodontic treatment plans are designed to minimize the need for invasive or extensive treatment during Phase 2, such as the removal of permanent teeth or surgical procedures to realign the jaw.
- Records to inform treatment
During your child's Phase 1 treatment, we will keep copious records for reference in Phase 2. These records will note things like the type of appliances used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records also include models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs.
- A resting period
Following the completion of your child's first phase of orthodontic treatment, the permanent teeth are left to finish erupting undisturbed.
Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement.
A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path.
- Monitoring tooth progress
At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be accomplished during your child's Phase 2 orthodontic treatment.
Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may enhance eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually every six months.
Phase 2 picks up where Phase 1 left off, once all the permanent teeth have erupted. It involves making the remaining changes to the teen's smile and bite with either braces or clear aligners.
Phase 2 orthodontic treatment is typically more moderate than standalone care that skips Phase 1.
Phase 2 builds on the groundwork that was laid in Phase 1. It involves correcting issues that were best left for the adolescent growth spurt and until all of the permanent teeth have erupted.
- Continuing on the path to a healthy smile
The goal of Phase 2 orthodontic treatment is to continue to improve tooth alignment and bite function so the teeth work together comfortably and efficiently. This phase focuses on achieving balanced positioning that facilitates everyday functions such as speaking and eating, while also taking the overall appearance of the smile into account.
- Phase 2 braces or aligner treatment
- Maintenance and retainers
Once Phase 2 treatment comes to a close, retainers will be created for your child. These will be worn on an ongoing basis to ensure that treatment results are maintained long-term.
Early Orthodontic Treatments for Kids
Here are a few of the most common treatment options for kids at Surrideo Orthodontics.
Clear Aligners for Children
Clear aligners, available from our Calgary orthodontist, support your child's growing smile by straightening teeth and correcting jaw misalignments.
Braces for Children
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we use braces to guide the development of children's teeth and jaws for healthier, straighter smiles.
Palate Expanders for Children
Learn about palatal expansion and its benefits in correcting narrow arches in children.