In many situations, it helps for kids to receive orthodontic treatment early in life. By starting corrective treatment with kids braces in Tarzana, you can save your child from struggling with misaligned teeth later in life. At The Smile Specialists, we work closely with patients of all ages to get them the treatment they need. From kids to adults, we want to give you a smile that you can’t wait to share with those around you.
What are Kids Braces / Early Treatment / Phase I?
In short, these are all terms for the same process: getting your kids straight and healthy teeth. Early treatment, also known as Phase I treatment or Kids braces are all terms that describe an orthodontic procedure for children before all the permanent teeth are present. It typically takes place between the ages of 7-10 years of age. The main goal is to correct major problems with the jaws growing improperly, overcrowding, or making enough room for all the permanent teeth.
What Can Kids Braces Do?
In most cases, we start orthodontic treatment after a child has lost all their baby teeth. However, some cases require earlier treatment to set up your child’s smile for success.
With early treatment, we are able to prevent major jaw discrepancies that could otherwise have a lasting negative impact on your child’s health. Kids braces are ideal for treating significant cases of:
- Uderbites
- Overbites
- Poorly growing upper or lower jaws
By providing your child with early treatment, we can potentially prevent a child from having to undergo orthognathic surgery in the future or from having under-developed upper or lower jaws.
With Phase I treatment, we can also prevent teeth from running into each other and getting stuck (impacted) in the bone. Likewise, we can prevent your child’s teeth from going in the wrong direction and eating away the root of another tooth. The end result is that your child’s dental health improves and their adult teeth can grow in better.
Invisalign First (Invisible Orthodontic Treatment for Kids)
We offer Invisalign First as a treatment option for Phase I as well. This allows for kids to wear Invisalign and benefit from having a clear option for their growing smile. During the formative years, having this invisible treatment option can help keep your child from feeling self-conscious, as some might with regular braces.
Kids also benefit from no food restrictions and can continue to eat what they want without parents having to worry about breaking brackets and slowing down treatment. It is also easier to brush and floss with Invisalign, making taking care of their teeth easier. Since it is crucial to develop good early dental hygiene habits, this option keeps such learning easy and simple. And we even have special stickers for their aligners if they want to add some color and flair!
Expanders for Kids
We are also able to widen the jaws at this young age so that there is enough room for all the permanent teeth. This is ideal for situations where we could potentially prevent extractions (or teeth needing to be removed) later on. Expanding the arches (usually done with an expander appliance) also provides for a beautiful, full, wide smile that most people are seeking. It also helps open up the airway, which provides improved breathing and other airway benefits.
Airway Orthodontics for Kids
Since we take 3D imaging scans, we are able to assess kids’ airways and uncover significant problems such as reduced or small airways. Both of these symptoms are often associated with obstructed breathing and poor disrupted sleep, which can cause many issues during these formative years. Some of these associations include: ADHD, bed wetting, hyperactivity, chronic sinus infections, mouth breathing and potentially developing sleep apnea. By making airway assessments, and offering treatments that help expand the airway, we can potentially further boost your child’s health for the life they have ahead of them.
Helping Your Child With Their Treatment
Whether your child has kids braces or Invisalign First, parents will play a major role in the success of their treatment. We work closely with the parents of our patients to ensure they are prepared to do their part. At every step, we provide you with complete information and tips to help your child’s treatment be a complete success. If you have any questions at any point in your child’s treatment, don’t hesitate to call. Our specialists are always ready to provide additional info or answer questions to ensure your child’s smile stays healthy and bright.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
When it comes to braces for kids, it is important to start at the right time. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a child receive their first orthodontic exam at age 7. Schedule your appointment today to set up a visit with our kids braces specialist and see if this treatment is ideal for your child. With early treatment, you can save your child from future complications or dental risks through kids braces in Tarzana.