Early Treatment (Phase I)
A first check-up by age 7
Orthodontists recommend kids get their first orthodontic check-up around age 7. Most won't need treatment yet, but catching certain problems early can make them much easier to fix.
Young child smiling in the chair
Why so young?
Around age 7, kids have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, and their jaws are still growing. That gives Dr. Croft a window to spot issues like crossbites, crowding and jaw imbalances while growth can still be guided in the right direction.
Signs your child should come in
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Trouble chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing or snoring
- Thumb sucking after age 5
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that shift, click or sit off-center
- Front teeth that don't meet, or that sit behind the bottom teeth
What Phase I treatment looks like
If treatment is needed, Phase I is usually short and focused. It might involve an expander, a partial set of braces, or another appliance to correct a specific problem. Then we let growth take over and check in periodically until the rest of the adult teeth arrive.
Common questions
Does every 7-year-old need braces?
No. Most kids who come in at 7 just need us to keep an eye on things. The check-up is about catching the few problems that are easier to fix early.
Will my child still need braces later?
Often, yes. Phase I handles the big structural issues. A shorter Phase II with braces or Invisalign may follow once all the adult teeth come in.
What happens at the first visit?
Dr. Croft takes a look at your child's teeth, bite and jaw growth, and explains what he sees in plain English. If nothing needs to happen yet, we'll simply plan a future check-in.