Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Years ago, orthodontic treatment was only for kids over the age of 11 or 12. But today’s orthodontists now treat children as young as eight years old. Called interceptive, or phase I orthodontics, braces in early childhood can reduce time in braces later on and correct problems before they become more serious.

Children’s baby teeth have a big impact on the health of their permanent teeth. That’s why it’s so important to catch major issues with baby teeth before permanent teeth erupt!

Since kids can start dental exams as soon as their first tooth comes in, your orthodontic specialist can track any issues that may warrant phase I orthodontics. A consultation at around age seven with an orthodontic specialist will evaluate your child for these conditions:

• Difficulty chewing or speaking
• Missing or diseased baby teeth
• Wide gaps between teeth
• Severe overcrowding
• Mouth breathing
• Protruding teeth
• Severe bite issues
• Problems with jaw, facial, or teeth symmetry

If your child needs phase I orthodontics, treatment may begin at age eight to correct severe issues, then take a break for a year or two, until all of their permanent teeth are present and they are ready for phase II. Orthodontists use a variety of treatments with young children, which may include both removable and non-removable appliances, such as space maintainers, bands, palatal expanders, and braces.

When you think of reasons to get orthodontics, you may envision a set of shimmering, straight teeth. Cosmetic improvements are definitely one of the most common reasons to get orthodontic treatment.

But did you know that certain oral conditions can lead to more serious issues, which require increasingly costly, invasive treatments? The benefits of orthodontics even reach as far as your overall health.

The following are just a few benefits of orthodontic treatment:

• Improved self-confidence. When you feel like you need to hide your smile, it can affect your relationships and how you feel about yourself. Not only that, but a healthy-looking smile can make a good impression at work and in any situation when you need to feel confident.
• Healthier gums. Gums of misaligned teeth may harbor more bacteria. Periodontal, or gum, disease is a health concern that can affect your heart, too, and even contribute to stroke and diabetes.
• Decreased risk of tooth damage. Teeth that protrude further than other teeth are more at risk for chips and fractures.
• Less wear on teeth. Teeth that protrude or rub against teeth due to jaw misalignment are worn down relatively quickly, weakening the tooth structure.
• Easier dental hygiene. When your teeth are aligned properly, you can more easily remove food particles by flossing and brushing.

Orthodontic treatment is typically recommended for children around the ages of 10 to 13 years when all of their permanent adult teeth have come in.

However, some kids can benefit from early orthodontic treatment divided into phases called interceptive orthodontics, which takes place earlier around the ages of seven to 10 years old. This type of treatment is ideal for children who suffer from:

• Crowded teeth or a narrow jaw
• Severe overbite, underbite, or crossbite
• Complications from thumb or pacifier use

Interceptive orthodontics uses a variety of different treatments that can include placing brackets and wires, using a space maintainer or other oral appliance, or a combination of both. The goal is to utilize the child's growth spurt to make room for adult teeth or correct bite alignment issues during the ideal time. Achieving these goals can often be much harder when growth has ceased. Interceptive orthodontics also makes the following phase of orthodontic treatment, which is typically just brackets and wires to align teeth, much more simple and straightforward.

Orthodontic treatment can occur in a single phase or multiple phases. For some children, early treatment is essential in preventing or fixing more serious oral health issues. Other children benefit from more traditional treatment, after age 10 or 11. Known as phase II orthodontics, children must have all their permanent teeth before beginning this later phase.

Phase II orthodontics can treat all types of oral issues, including:

• Misaligned or protruding teeth
• Gaps in teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• Jaws and bites that don’t align properly
• Malocclusion (poor bite)
• Difficulties with speaking, chewing, or eating

Phase II orthodontics often involves non-removable braces with brackets, but can also include appliances like palatal expanders, bands, and aligners.

Phase II orthodontics may or may not include a phase I treatment phase. Dr. Severs can help you decide the best course of treatment for your little one or yourself.

Aesthetically pleasing orthodontic treatments are here to stay because more people are choosing to correct cosmetic and oral problems without detracting from their appearance. With clear aligners and clear braces, you can improve your smile while keeping your treatment less detectable. 

Although your top priority is fixing your teeth and having the healthiest mouth possible, straightening your smile discreetly is probably a close second. Here’s how two popular invisible orthodontic treatments compare so that you can discuss them with Dr. Severs:

Clear Braces

Clear braces are similar to metal braces and include non-removable brackets, wires, and sometimes rubber bands.

• Work well for any age group
• Can fix more severe oral issues and jaw misalignment
• Treatment time varies from one to three years
• Must take special care to remove food particles from brackets and avoid hard or sticky foods
• Brackets are ceramic

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are removable trays that you wear for at least 22 hours per day and require discipline to wear them consistently.

• Best for older teens or adults
• Can fix mild orthodontic issues
• Treatment time averages 18-24 months
• You remove the trays to eat and can eat whatever you want
• Made of plastic

Dr. Severs can tell you if you’d benefit from clear aligners. In general, you’re a good candidate for clear aligners if:

• Your oral issues are not severe. For example, an excessive open bite, underbite, crossbite, or severe crowding will be better suited with traditional braces
• You have the discipline to wear clear aligner trays for about 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat and clean teeth.

If you do have a severe misalignment issue, your orthodontist may be able to develop a treatment plan for you that includes both braces and clear aligners.

That doesn’t mean that less severe problems aren’t important enough to fix, however. Even slightly misaligned or overcrowded teeth can cause more serious problems if not treated. If you have any of these oral health issues, clear aligners might be perfect for you:

• Mildly misaligned teeth
• Minor bite problems 
• Protruding teeth
• Gaps in teeth
• Mild Crowding
• Malocclusion