Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment In The Hudson Valley
Did you know a healthy smile journey begins during early childhood? At Sunshine Smiles, we offer early orthodontic treatment, also called interceptive orthodontics, which focuses on guiding your child’s smile development and preventing more extensive treatment later.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all kids visit an orthodontist by age 7 before their permanent teeth have come in. By then, our team can evaluate potential issues with jaw growth, tooth eruption, or bite before they arise. Your child’s first consultation includes a comprehensive evaluation, digital imaging and x-rays, and a chance for you to ask all your questions.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of early intervention braces and other interceptive orthodontic treatments at Sunshine Smiles!
What Is Interceptive Orthodontics and How Does It Work?
Interceptive orthodontics, also known as early orthodontic treatment or phase one orthodontics, focuses on addressing potential smile concerns in their early stages while your child still has some baby teeth. In doing so, we can gently guide jaw growth, bite alignment, and tooth eruption, preventing more complex issues later.
How does it work? Dr. Mansour can identify potential problems during your child’s evaluation and recommend a custom treatment plan, which might include braces, Invisalign, expanders, or other appliances to create space for erupting teeth and stop potential issues. By intervening early, we can achieve a more predictable and successful outcome for your child’s future smile.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatments Available at Sunshine Smiles
No matter what your child’s smile needs are, we have cutting-edge treatments available to help guide their smile in the right direction!
Invisalign First
For growing smiles between 6 and 10, Invisalign First offers a comfortable and virtually invisible alternative to traditional braces. These custom-made aligners gently guide erupting teeth and jaw development, helping prevent future orthodontic issues. Dr. Mansour can help determine if Invisalign First is the right choice for your child!
Braces for Kids
Traditional braces remain a reliable path to a straighter smile for many children! Our experienced orthodontists will use gentle, steady pressure to guide your child’s teeth into their ideal positions, creating a foundation for a healthy and confident smile. Plus, we offer colorful and customizable elastics so kids can always show off their style!
Palatal Expanders
For some kids, a narrow jaw can prevent permanent teeth from erupting properly. Palatal expanders fit comfortably in the roof of the mouth and gradually widen the jaw, creating space for teeth to align correctly. This can pave the way for future treatment with clear aligners or braces, leading to a healthier and more confident smile for your child.
What if My Child Does Not Need Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
While getting your child to see an orthodontist by age 7 is necessary, many children will not need early orthodontic treatment! During your child’s evaluation, Dr. Mansour will assess their unique needs and determine the best course of action. Occasionally monitoring your kid’s growth and development may be sufficient until all permanent teeth erupt. If phase one treatment isn’t necessary now, we can continue to monitor your child’s smile journey and recommend phase two orthodontics with braces or clear aligners if needed later.
Start Your Free Early Orthodontic Screening Today!
- A comprehensive evaluation of your child’s oral development
- Digital imaging and/or x-rays
- A chance to ask all your questions about early orthodontics
