Phase I orthodontic treatment, also called early interceptive treatment, is the first stage of orthodontic care, typically beginning when a child is between 7 and 9 years of age. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists® recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.

At that age, children are usually in mixed dentition, with both baby and adult teeth present. Despite the presence of multiple baby teeth, a child’s mouth has sufficiently grown for an orthodontist to evaluate the developing teeth and jaws, and identify any problems with growth and development that may benefit from an early orthodontic intervention.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and this perfectly captures the purpose of early orthodontic treatment. If warranted, the goal is to time the treatment to take advantage of predictable stages of growth, and achieve treatment results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished their development. In most cases, the treatment is relatively simple, and lasts less than a year.

Some children may greatly benefit from it; some do not need it at all. Some children may get the greatest benefit from treatment simply by waiting until all the permanent teeth are in. In that case, we will recommend a “wait and see” approach and simply monitor your child’s growth and development periodically.

The best way to get all your questions answered is to schedule a complimentary evaluation.

Early treatment can be in your child’s best interest if the diagnosed problem is one that could become more serious over time if left untreated.

1. Dental Arch Development: To ensure there is enough space for all the adult teeth to grow in. This can help prevent more severe crowding, reduce the need to remove permanent teeth later, and reduce the likelihood of impactions (teeth that remain inside the jaw and are unable to grow in on their own).
2. Improves Facial Balance: If there are early signs of bite issues (like a crossbite, an underbite or severe overbite), Phase I treatment can help improve jaw alignment and balance facial proportions, which may prevent more complex treatment later (such as jaw surgery). For instance, uncorrected unilateral crossbites typically result in permanent skeletal asymmetries after completion of growth.
3. Corrects Harmful Habits: Habits like thumb-sucking, mouth breathing or tongue thrusting can affect jaw and tooth alignment. Phase I treatment can help correct these behaviors before they cause long-term issues.
4. Reduces the Risk of Trauma: Children with protruding front teeth are at a higher risk for injury. Early treatment can help adjust the positioning of these teeth to prevent trauma.
5. Improve Speech Development: Proper tooth position plays a crucial role in speech development by supporting the correct placement and function of the tongue, lips and other oral structures involved in producing sounds.
6. Improve Airway Development and Reduce the Risk of Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Palatal expanders are often used in phase I treatment to widen the upper jaw. This expansion can increase the nasal airway space, improving airflow and reducing issues like nasal obstruction or mouth breathing.
7. Improve Esthetics and Self-Esteem: at this stage, we do not make recommendations based on esthetic needs alone. However, sometimes treatments are pursued to support a child’s emotional well-being, often initiated by concerns raised by the patient or their parent.

After Phase I, there is usually a resting period where our orthodontist will monitor growth. Later, when most adult teeth have erupted (often around ages 11 to 13), Phase II treatment (comprehensive braces or aligners) may be recommended to finish aligning teeth and refining the bite.

Early intervention in Phase I can often simplify or shorten later treatment, prevent extractions and reduce the risk of more severe orthodontic issues as the child grows. However, it usually does not eliminate the need for comprehensive treatment, as the objectives are different.

Learn what to expect at your first visit, or find out more about different orthodontic problems and the benefits of treatment.