Early Treatment guide bone growth

Phase 1, also called early treatment, is the process of normalizing the growth of a patient’s bone structure and repairing any imbalances of the face and jaws. This process often involves a second phase of treatment once the patient has all his adult teeth. As a board certified orthodontist, Dr. Elfersi is uniquely qualified to guide and correct patient facial development using dentofacial orthopedic therapy.

Recommended only in specific cases

Based on her training, experience and extensive research Dr. Elfersi recommends Phase 1 treatment only when appropriate and based your child occlusion. Often, parents are surprised after Dr. Elfersi places their kid on recall to further monitor their jaw and bone growth. Orthodontics is a lengthy and slow process, Dr. Elfersi will not start treatment unless necessary and beneficial for your child. Your kid may have an orthodontic condition that will be treated after all his adult teeth have erupted. Please take some time to ask Dr. Elfersi any questions you may have and discuss your child specific treatment.

Why do Phase 1?

While orthodontic treatment most often begins between the ages of 9 and 14, some children’s orthodontic problems can benefit from earlier treatment. If phase 1 is indicated, it can give Dr. Elfersi the chance to:

• Guide jaw growth
• Reduce the need for extraction
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Move permanent teeth into a favorable position
• Improve the way lips meet
• Increase self-esteem

Signs the Bite’s Not Right

It’s not always easy to tell when your child has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding an unhealthy bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Breathing through the mouth
• Thumb-sucking
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
• Jaws that are too far forward or back
• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
• Protruding teeth
• Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet, or meet in an abnormal way
• An unbalanced facial appearance
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

Schedule a complimentary phase 1 evaluation