Phase 1 Interceptive Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. If any problems are detected, early treatment can prevent future issues.
Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?
Many parents may consider braces and orthodontic treatment for their kids when their kids reach their teenage years. But you’ll be surprised to find that your kids should have their first orthodontic appointment at 7 years old.
At the ages of 6-7, your child has a mix of baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth. Around that time, your child’s mouth and teeth should have grown enough for an orthodontist to assess jaw development and identify the position of permanent teeth. We can help guide their jaw and teeth into a healthier position so that they can have a brighter straight smile in the future.
Benefits of Phase 1 treatment
- Prevent chipped teeth by addressing early traumatic occlusions like edge to edge overbites
- Prevent the need for extractions by addressing crowding
- Correct a narrow or small upper jaw with expansion
- Create facial symmetry and balance through influencing jaw growth
- Prevent impacted teeth or unerupted with expansion
- Guide adult teeth into eruption
- Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth and other misaligned teeth
- Skeletal/orthopedic improvement of the overbite
- Skeletal/orthopedic improvement of the underbite
- Address harmful habits to address open bites
- Reduce treatment time with braces
- Improve self-esteem
What happens during your child's first orthodontic visit?
At your child’s first orthodontic visit, she/he will get photos and X-rays taken of their teeth. The doctor will also examine the bite and jaws.
You can be placed in our “Growth and Development Observation” program. Here we will watch your teeth grow. We will make recommendations to help your adult teeth come in properly.
EduTeeth is our supplemental program for Phase 1 interceptive treatments, developed by our MBO doctors. It is a series of educational activities to help balance the jaw and guide the teeth towards better development.
Drawing from the newest research from the fields of neuroscience, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, early childhood development and somatic therapy, EduTeeth was created by our doctors to present the most effective lessons to eliminate those harmful habits, ease jaw tensions and allow for balance.
These are fun activities to help you experience your teeth, tongue and jaws in a new way! Combined with Phase 1 appliances, it is the most effective treatment for lasting results.
EduTeeth program is only offered at Manhattan Bridge Orthodontics
EduTeeth offers 7 themes to introduce ease and show your child what it means to release tension from their jaws.
- Self Awareness
- Mapping the Jaw
- A Breathing Practice
- The Balance of Your Head and Jaw
- How Thinking Affects You
- Resting Position of the Tongue
- Your TMJ