Phase 1 orthodontic treatment may reduce the need to pull permanent teeth in the future.
At the consultation, Dr. Goodman will determine if early treatment is necessary and beneficial for your child. First, Dr. Goodman will examine your child’s jaw, dental arches, and teeth to check for early signs of gaps, crowding, and misalignment. She will also address all oral habits like nail biting, tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking. Dr. Goodman will be sure to share helpful flossing and brushing techniques to ensure good oral hygiene and a successful treatment outcome for your little one.
Dr. Goodman will then take a series of X-rays and impressions to document your child’s facial profile as well as any tooth or bite issues to determine if extractions or appliances will be necessary, such as a space maintainer, palatal expander, or limited braces. Each case is unique, so while some children benefit from removable or fixed appliances, others see better results when some baby teeth are removed.
After gathering data and deciding on the best early orthodontic treatment for your child, Dr. Goodman will deliver your child's custom dental appliance. The team will make sure that the appliance is as comfortable as possible and thorough instructions will be given.
Schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s orthodontist Dr. Goodman every 4-8 weeks to monitor progress. Early treatment can be completed in 10-15 months or less, so your child can enjoy a strong, healthy smile for life.
A space maintainer is a custom-made dental piece which allows ample room for your child’s permanent teeth to erupt and properly come into place. Made of either acrylic or metal material, this appliance can be removable or cemented in your child's mouth.
Palatal expanders are metal orthodontic appliances placed on the roof of your child’s mouth to widen the palate over time. These appliances expand narrow palates while aligning the upper teeth and jaw before it fully develops.
Limited braces are medical-grade stainless steel brackets and archwires that straighten your child’s misaligned teeth over time.
While many Phase 1 orthodontic procedures include a dental appliance, it may be better or necessary to extract a tooth so adult teeth can properly enter. With a variety of sedation options and a gentle hand, a tooth extraction can be a simple procedure that sets your child up for a lifetime of exceptional oral health.
Early interceptive orthodontics can reduce your child’s chance of dental injury.
If your child is showcasing one or more of the following signs & symptoms, they may be a good candidate for early interceptive orthodontic treatment:
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these symptoms before they become severe issues over time.
Early treatment can be in a patient’s best interest if their problem is one that could worsen over time and cause severe dental issues in adulthood if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to recognize and eliminate these problems as early as possible, so a child’s teeth and jaw can properly grow and maintain space for incoming adult teeth.
While many orthodontic problems are inherited, some are caused by common habits over time, such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or pacifier use. Other factors such as mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents, and poor nutrition can alter your child’s teeth and jaw alignment. No matter the cause, our team will cater to your child’s unique needs and teach them healthy habits for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first check-up should take place by the age of 7 or any time an orthodontic issue is noticed before then. By the age of 7, your child’s mouth holds enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to gain a strong understanding of your child’s mouth and jaws as they develop. This provides your orthodontist with plenty of information to give your child with a tailored treatment.
The cost of early interceptive orthodontics is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost include the severity of your child’s teeth misalignment, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for your child’s early interceptive orthodontics is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Goodman.
My two daughters LOVE coming to see Dr. Sholander! We are so glad to be able to see her at Harmony Pediatric Dentistry! The office is beautiful, well-organized, and convenient! The staff have all been lovely!
We love Harmony! Dr. Goodman has done an amazing job addressing my son's numerous orthodontic issues. She gave us with several treatment options, so we could choose based on outcomes, budget, and what was manageable for him. Meanwhile, my daughter had such a good experience with her expander treatment, now she can't wait to get her braces! All three of my kids LOVE Dr. Sholander and look forward to their biannual cleanings. Harmony is the best.
Dr. Goodman and Dr. Sholander are excellent pediatric dental practitioners. They managed all three of my children's ortho and dental care needs for 8 years (I have two children with special needs so this requires serious super powers!). They are infinitely patient, kind, and gentle with their young clients and are very passionate about their profession. Highly recommend.
4.5 million children wear braces each year to achieve the smile of their dreams.
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