Early Orthodontic Treatment
Phase One care that guides a child’s growth, in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA
Some bite and jaw problems are easiest to correct while a child is still growing. That is the whole idea behind early orthodontic treatment. At New Element Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christopher Myers evaluates children across Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA, to identify the small group who genuinely benefit from acting early, and to reassure the many families whose children can simply be watched as they grow.
What is early orthodontic treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment, also called Phase One or interceptive treatment, is care that begins while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth, usually around age eight or nine. Its purpose is to guide jaw growth and correct developing bite problems before the permanent teeth and the jaw are fully set.
How Phase One and Phase Two work together
Phase One uses a child’s active growth to address the underlying structure, such as the width of the dental arches or an underbite. A resting period follows while the remaining permanent teeth come in. Phase Two, which usually starts around age eleven or older, then aligns the full set of teeth, often with braces. It’s worth saying clearly: not every child who has Phase One needs an immediate Phase Two, and many children need no early treatment at all.
Why treating early can make later treatment easier
By age seven, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Myers to see how the bite is developing. Working during active growth lets us guide the jaw and open room for incoming teeth, which can lower the chance of extractions or surgery later on. Most children lose their last baby teeth around age thirteen, and by the end of the teen years the jawbones harden and stop growing. Treatment in adulthood can still produce an excellent result, but it often takes longer and sometimes calls for extractions or oral surgery. Setting the foundation early can reduce those odds.
Signs your child may benefit from an early evaluation
Parents are not expected to spot an orthodontic problem on their own. These are simply the signs that make an evaluation worthwhile:
- Baby teeth lost very early or very late (most children start losing teeth around age five and have all permanent teeth by about age thirteen)
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Thumb sucking that continues past age five
- Speech difficulties
- Front teeth that protrude, with the top and bottom teeth angling away from each other
- Teeth that meet abnormally or do not meet at all
- A jaw that shifts or sounds off when opening or closing, which can signal a crossbite
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
What causes orthodontic problems in children?
Some issues are inherited, including crowding, gaps, protruding teeth, and problems with how the jaw grows. Others are acquired, from an injury to the mouth, from baby teeth lost too early or kept too long, or from habits like prolonged thumb sucking. Part of what the early evaluation does is separate the two, because the cause often shapes the timing and the approach.
What happens at your child’s first visit?
The first visit is a relaxed exam, not a commitment to braces. Dr. Myers looks at how your child’s teeth and jaw are developing, takes any imaging that’s needed, and tells you plainly whether treatment makes sense now, later, or not at all. If early treatment is recommended, we explain exactly what it would involve and why. If it isn’t, we say so and keep a friendly eye on things as your child grows. This exam is complimentary at both our Sacramento and Fair Oaks offices.
Common Questions About Early Orthodontic Treatment
At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic visit by age seven. That doesn’t mean treatment at seven. It means a baseline check so any developing issue is caught at the point when it’s simplest to manage.
Does early treatment mean my child won’t need braces later?
Not necessarily. Phase One addresses the foundation, and many children still have a shorter, simpler second phase once their permanent teeth are in. The goal of early treatment is to make later treatment easier and to prevent problems from worsening, not always to replace braces entirely.
Will my child need treatment in two separate phases?
Some will, some won’t. Two-phase treatment is recommended only when treating early gives a meaningfully better result than waiting. If your child can be treated in a single phase later, Dr. Myers will tell you that rather than start sooner than needed.
Is the first evaluation really free?
Yes. The initial exam is complimentary at both offices, with no obligation. You will leave understanding your child’s situation and the recommended timing, whether that’s now or simply a plan to monitor.
Book Your Child’s Free Evaluation
If your child is around seven or eight and showing any of the signs above, or your family dentist has suggested an orthodontic visit, the next step is an easy one. Call us or request an appointment online, and we’ll take a look.
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