As young as age seven, your children could begin to display issues with the alignment of the smile. Treatment is possible at this age to prevent major alignment issues! In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about our interceptive orthodontics with a phased approach.
Starting the Treatment Process
To begin, we need to schedule an initial consultation with our team. When your children arrive, we will welcome them back and makes rue they feel comfortable and welcome. We can discuss their smiles and also carefully examine them with digital x-rays and CT imaging, so we can assess the cause and extent of their misalignment, and the potential issues that occur in the future without treatment. We then dice on the best course of action. A phased approach means we use special interceptive orthodontics that are designed to limit alignment issues buy guiding the growth and development of the smile.
Retainers and Teeth Spacers
Retainers are custom-made oral appliances that fit comfortably and need to be worn during the day and night. These can be fixed in place or removable, and will help guide the development of the smile to prevent major alignment issues in childhood. If a primary tooth is lost too early, our team could help with a teeth spacer, which help keep the area open to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting and forming complications with the eruption of the permanent teeth. The spacers can be fixed in place or removable, and could be unilateral or bilateral. They help ensure permanent teeth can arrive without complication to limit major misalignment issues.
The Next Phase of Treatment
This continues for early childhood, but the second phase, the one that corrects the smile completely and finish the fine touches the smile needs, will begin once the permanent teeth have all erupted and properly calcified. This occurs in the teen years. For kids with more severe misalignment, wed could use metal braces to offer optimal results in about two years. Using ceramic brackets offers a less visible option. We also have Invisalign® aligners, which are custom-made and clear, and can be removed before meals or prior to brushing and flossing. These offer optimal results in as little as one year to 18 months.
If you have any questions, then give our team a call today to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PHASED ORTHODONTICS?
We can help kids and teens enjoy better oral health and an even smile. If you have any questions about how we treat little smiles, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
