When Should Your Child See the Orthodontist?
August 30, 2024
Phase I by Age 7: Early Intervention is Key
When it comes to your child's orthodontic and airway health, timing is everything. Early detection and intervention are essential for optimal results. Dr. Bockow recommends that children receive their Phase I initial exam by the age of seven.
Orthodontic issues such as underbites, crossbites, crowded teeth, and even sleep or airway-related problems rarely resolve on their own. Early treatment can address these problems before they become more complex to treat. In addition to bite issues, problems like digit habits, speech difficulties, and improper tongue positional can also be managed more effectively with early intervention.
Phase II by Age 13: Continuing Care
As your child grows, continued monitoring of their dental development is crucial. Dr. Bockow advises that a Phase II orthodontic assessment should be completed by age 13. The timing of this exam coincides with your child's loss of most or all of their primary teeth and allows for a comprehensive evaluation of any remaining orthodontic concerns.
Phase II treatment addresses a broader range of issues, including overjets, overbites, and excessively spaced teeth. Whether or not your child has undergone Phase I treatment, the Phase II exam ensures that any lingering or emerging problems are caught and treated promptly.
Trust the Experts at Inspired Orthodontics
Early and ongoing orthodontic care is the foundation of a healthy, confident smile. When you follow Dr. Bockow's exam recommendations, you can rest knowing that expert hands guide your child's oral growth and development. Don't wait for problems to worsen - schedule your child's initial orthodontic exam today.
At Inspired Orthodontics we love caring for our patients! Please contact us to make an appoinment with our orthodontists in Seattle and Bellevue.
We offer our patients in Seattle braces, Seattle orthodontic expansion, Seattle Invisalign, Seattle sleep apnea treatment, and Seattle surgical orthodontic treatment. We offer our patients in Bellevue braces, Bellevue orthodontic expansion, Bellevue Invisalign, Bellevue sleep apnea treatment, and Bellevue surgical orthodontic treatment.