As your child grows and develops, you may notice slight differences in their upper and lower jaws or abnormalities in how their emerging permanent teeth are starting to erupt. Most commonly, this takes the form of the upper jaw being narrower than the broader curve found in the lower jaw, which can cause various issues later in life. These conditions can include orthodontic problems like crossbites, underbites, dental crowding and more, as well as health concerns like difficulty breathing and sleep-disordered breathing.

In these cases, your orthodontist, Dr. Glass, may recommend early interceptive treatment to rectify these issues before they ever become a significant problem for your child. Early treatment begins before all permanent teeth have erupted and typically occurs between the ages of seven and ten. The goal of early treatment is to intercept the developing problem, eliminate the cause, guide the growth of facial and jawbones, and provide adequate space for incoming permanent teeth. Early orthodontic treatment, also called Phase 1 treatment, is an orthodontic treatment to help correct immediate problems and prevent future issues.