BRACES
for Kids

An early orthodontic evaluation, recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) by age 7, helps identify and address potential dental and jaw issues before they become more serious. Even if treatment isn’t needed right away, an early evaluation allows Dr. Emilia Taneva to monitor your child’s growth and determine the best timing for orthodontic care.

Key Benefits of Early Evaluation:

✔ Detects Bite & Jaw Issues Early – Identifies problems like overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite before they worsen.

✔ Guides Jaw Growth – Helps correct jaw imbalances, potentially avoiding jaw surgery or complex treatment later.

✔ Creates Space for Incoming Permanent Teeth – Prevents severe crowding or impactions by guiding proper tooth eruption.

✔ Reduces Risk of Tooth Trauma – Corrects protruding front teeth that may be more prone to injury.

✔ Helps Address Harmful Oral Habits – Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can all impact dental development. Early intervention can prevent these habits from affecting the bite.

✔ Prevents the Need for Extractions – In some cases, early treatment can eliminate the need for tooth extractions or more extensive orthodontic work later.

✔ Makes Future Treatment Faster & Easier – If Phase I treatment is recommended, it can shorten or simplify later orthodontic treatment in the teenage years.

Even if your child doesn’t need immediate treatment, an early evaluation provides peace of mind and ensures their smile is developing properly. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Emilia Taneva to see if early intervention could benefit your child’s dental health!

Phase I treatment is recommended for children who show early signs of bite issues, jaw misalignment, or severe crowding while they still have baby teeth. The goal is to guide jaw growth, create space for permanent teeth, and prevent more complex orthodontic problems later.

Children may benefit from Phase I treatment if they have:

✔ Severe Crowding – Not enough space for permanent teeth to come in properly.
✔ Crossbite – When the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, causing asymmetry or jaw shifting.
✔ Underbite or Overbite – Significant jaw misalignment that could worsen with growth.
✔ Open Bite – Front teeth don’t meet when biting down, often caused by thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
✔ Early Loss of Baby Teeth – If a child loses a baby tooth too soon, space maintainers may be needed to prevent crowding.
✔ Protruding Front Teeth – If front teeth stick out too far, they may be at higher risk for trauma or injury.
✔ Difficulty Chewing, Speaking, or Breathing – Orthodontic issues can affect function, comfort, and even airway health.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7 to determine if early treatment is necessary. Not all kids need Phase I treatment, but for those who do, intervening early can help reduce the need for extractions, surgery, or more extensive treatment later in life. Dr. Emilia Taneva will evaluate your child’s smile and recommend the best approach for long-term dental health!

Fixing malocclusions — including crowding, gaps, or overall misalignments of the teeth — earlier rather than later is the smart choice for long-term dental health. Malocclusions can cause:

• Low confidence and lack of self-esteem.
• Poor dental health due to trapped food and plaque between crowded teeth.
• Problems with chewing and speech.

The type of treatment varies depending on the child’s needs:

✔ Palatal Expanders – Used to widen the upper jaw to correct crossbites, create space for permanent teeth, and improve breathing.

✔ Space Maintainers – Hold space open for permanent teeth if a baby tooth is lost too early, preventing crowding.

✔ Partial Braces (Limited Braces) – Placed on select teeth to correct minor misalignments or severe protrusions.

✔ Habit Appliances – Help stop harmful oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which can affect jaw development.

✔ Functional Appliances (Herbst, Twin Block, etc.) – Help guide lower jaw growth in cases of severe overbite or underbite.

✔ Early Clear Aligners – In some cases, mild corrections can be made with clear aligners for younger patients.

Phase I treatment can prevent more serious orthodontic issues later, reducing the need for extractions or lengthy treatment in the future. Dr. Emilia Taneva evaluates each child individually to determine if early intervention is beneficial! 😊

As children grow out of Phase I orthodontic treatment, and into their tween and teen years, Phase II orthodontic treatment can continue to guide them on their way to excellent dental alignment. To learn more about Phase II treatment and braces for teens, click here.