Signs your child may benefit from Phase 1 orthodontic treatment

Phase 1 treatment guides jaw growth while it is still happening, between about 7 and 10. It is recommended when a specific growth problem is developing, not for every child. These are the signs parents can see that make an early assessment worthwhile.

Signs that often lead to Phase 1

• The lower jaw shifts to one side when closing, or one side of the upper back teeth bites inside the lower. A crossbite with a shift is the clearest indication for early expansion, because the jaw can grow asymmetrically if left.
• The upper front teeth bite behind the lower, an underbite. Guiding the upper jaw forward works while growth is active.
• The upper front teeth stick out well ahead of the lower lip. Large overjet roughly doubles the risk of a fractured front tooth in an active child; reducing it early protects the teeth even though final alignment comes later.
• A very narrow upper jaw, a high palate, and adult teeth coming in with no room. Expansion during growth creates room and is the clinic's preferred route to avoiding extractions later.
• Thumb sucking or soother use past 4 with an open bite or forward front teeth.
• Mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep. Often linked to a narrow upper jaw. See mouth breathing in children.
• Adult teeth coming in far out of place, or baby teeth that will not fall out when the adult tooth is visible beside them.
• Baby teeth lost very early, leaving a gap that neighbouring teeth drift into.

Signs that usually mean waiting is fine

• Front teeth coming in slightly crooked or rotated, with the jaws in proportion and the bite normal. Very common at 7 and often improves as the arch grows.
• A gap between the upper front teeth, which usually closes as the canines come in.
• Mild crowding with no crossbite and no shift.

What to do

An assessment at 7 sorts these out; it is complimentary at myORTHODONTIST Maple Ridge, and children who do not need treatment yet are rechecked at no charge. The orthodontist will name the growth reason for any Phase 1 recommendation. See early treatment and two-phase treatment.