Early Treatment
As premier orthodontists at Stoneybrook East, we understand that every mouth and jaw is different. What one child needs in terms of early treatment could be vastly different than another, even compared to that child's sibling.
Here are some common reasons we recommend early orthodontic treatment:
- Crowding: If your child's jaw is too small to accommodate the growth of their permanent teeth, we often extract teeth or perform a palatal expansion.
- Crossbite: A severe crossbite happens when the upper teeth come down behind the lower teeth when the jaw is closed. However, a palatal expander can remedy this problem.
- Protruding Teeth: Teeth that protrude are typically more prone to getting chipped or fractured. Braces will help to pull them back into alignment.
At Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics, we are a preferred children's orthodontist in East Orlando with this experience you can expect to improve the oral development of your child. We also utilize Invisalign Stoneybrook East. It is never too early to think about your children's orthodontic treatment, and we recommend your child comes in for screening by age seven.
Phase I - Interceptive Treatment
The first phase of treatment (Phase I) usually occurs when your child has many of their 'baby' teeth. The goal of this treatment is to ensure proper jaw structure to make room for the eruption of permanent teeth and improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
During this early phase, orthodontic appliances (such as expanders or partial braces) may be used to prevent overcrowding, overbites, or other oral abnormalities. This treatment can occur between the ages of 7-11 and usually lasts between 9-18 months. Since your child's teeth and jaws are still developing, quick results can be accomplished. What's more, it is less likely that there will be a recurring oral problem.
The benefits of the Phase I treatment include:
- Corrected biting and chewing
- Reduced risk of trauma from protruded teeth
- Guiding the growth of the jaw bones that support the teeth for proper development
- Correcting any damaging oral habits, such as thumb sucking
- Lower the need for tooth removal
Phase II - Traditional Braces
The second phase (Phase II) takes place when your child has all of their permanent teeth. The purpose of Phase II is to make sure that each tooth is moved into its final position to improve teeth function and facial appearance. Everything must be aligned with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth in the mouth. The use of orthodontic appliances will usually involve traditional metal braces or Invisalign Stoneybrook East, which is worn for around 18-30 months and can begin between the ages of 11-13.
The benefits of the Phase II treatment are to:
- Increase long-term stability of the orthodontic treatment
- Enhance speech development
- Move permanent teeth into better positions
Call For An Appointment Today!
Dr. Taddeo and his staff want to ensure that you and your child feel welcomed and comfortable in our Orlando, FL orthodontic office. Establishing a strong foundation for your child's oral health will give them healthier and stronger teeth as he or she gets older. Our early orthodontic treatment achieves this fundamental need through the work and efforts of Dr. Taddeo. Please feel free to call us during our office hours or submit an online appointment form to schedule an appointment with orthodontists at Stoneybrook East!