phase 1

AGE 7 IS THE PERFECT AGE for a Phase I orthodontic treatment by an orthodontist. Phase I orthodontic treatment fixes bite problems when the mouth has 12 permanent and 12 baby teeth present.

Early Orthodontic Treatment Can Prevent Serious Problems

Early orthodontic treatment can prevent more serious teeth problems from developing. When Phase II orthodontic treatment is necessary at age 12, this treatment of all the permanent teeth will be faster and easier to complete.

At your child's orthodontic evaluation, the orthodontist will evaluate:

• Tooth eruption and permanent tooth development
• Space needed for all permanent to erupt naturally
• Bite relationship and jaw growth pattern
• Oral habits, tongue position and speech
• Teeth protrusion, overjet and overbite
• Smile and teeth straightness
• Facial profile
• Lip posture

Orthodontists are able to achieve better results with Phase I Phase II orthodontic treatment in 15% of cases. Should treatment not be needed, the orthodontist will monitor tooth eruption and growth and development until all permanent teeth are present at age 12 and let parents know if treatment is necessary and the most appropriate type and time for orthodontic treatment.

We Can Give Your Child A Beautiful, Healthy Smile

To find an orthodontist near you, visit the American Association of Orthodontists at www.mylifemysmile.org or visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Find us at www.clubbraces.com for call us at (925) 757-9000.

There are good reasons for your child to have an orthodontic examination by age 7. Here's to your child's healthy smile.

OPEN BITES can be seen in children as early as four years old. When an open bite is first seen with the baby teeth, parents often ask "How early can I close my child's open bite?"

Open bites can be either:

1. A normal transition from baby to permanent teeth
2. Due to an oral habit or thumbsucking
3. Due to a skeletal growth problem

Age 7 Is The Perfect Time To Correct An Open Bite

When an open bite is present with baby teeth, orthodontists usually want to wait until age 7 to correct the open bite.

Correcting an open bite at age 7 usually includes a habit appliance which is cemented to the permanent 6 year molars and braces. This treatment is called Phase I orthodontic treatment and usually takes 18 to 24 months. After Phase I treatment, there is usually a second Phase II orthodontic treatment when all permanent teeth erupt at age 12.

Open bite affects less than four percent of children. Should the open bite persist into teenage years and the opening involve more than just the front teeth, there could be a more complex vertical skeletal growth problem.

We Can Help Your Child's Open Bite!

If you are seeing an open bite in your child, please call us at Gorczyca Orthodontics (925) 757-9000 in Antioch, California for a complimentary consultation. Visit us at www.clubbraces.com. To find an orthodontist near you, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.

Age 7 is the ideal time to start closing an open bite. Close your child's open bite at age 7 before it becomes more complex.

Top image by Flickr user Lucas Possiede used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

EVERYONE LOVES THE MOVIE “A Christmas Story”. In it, Ralphie dreams of getting a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas. In addition, he is a victim of neighborhood bullying by one of the big boys. Ralphie finally confronts the bully, letting him know that his stunt is over. In doing so, he earns the respect of his parents and peers.

Bullying starts as early as kindergarten. It starts as early as kindergarten. It is seen more frequently in boys/men then in girls/women. And, if you are a little bit special because of dental and skeletal malocclusion, that only makes the odds for childish bullying worse.

If Teeth Are A Cause Of Bullying, We Can Help

If your child is a victim of schoolyard bullying, he may not want to go to school. He may lose his happiness, joy for life, or find it hard to smile. If you notice these behaviors, your child may be bullied. If teeth are a cause, your orthodontist can help.

Social acceptability may become a factor in the decision for early orthodontic intervention as early as age six. In some cases, in addition to straightening teeth, distraction osteogenesis may also be needed to correct a jaw to normal size.

We’re Listening To What Our Patients Have To Say

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we recognize and are sensitive to bullying. We listen closely to what our young patients tell us about how they feel and what is going on at school. Kids trust us and we’re here to help.

Your Child Has Better Things To Think About

Lessen the load of being a kid. End bullying. We want kids thinking about rainbow bracelets and Red Ryder air rifles and not worried about their teeth.

To find an orthodontist near you, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.