Early Treatment
Friendly Children’s Orthodontist In Tulsa, OK
Starting your child with early orthodontic treatment can ensure the greatest results and the least amount of time and expense spent in improving your child’s smile. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur no later than the age of 7. During your consultation with Dr. Robert J. Herman, he can determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary for your child in order to promote proper jaw growth and development. Our goal is to detect any early indications of common orthodontic problems to avoid invasive procedures such as tooth removal or surgery.
Our Tulsa, OK children’s orthodontist can complete your child’s early orthodontic treatment within Two Phases, which is determined by your child’s dental growth and needs. We want to provide the best and most comfortable care for your child, so that they can have a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Phase I Treatment
The goal for the Phase I treatment is to make room for when the permanent teeth erupt in order to properly align of the upper and lower jaws. During this phase, Dr. Herman may use limited orthodontic appliances such as partial braces or expanders to prevent overcrowding, underbites, crossbites, and other common orthodontic problems. Treatment time usually lasts between 9 to 18 months and is monitored by our friendly orthodontist to ensure optimal development.
The advantages of the Phase I treatment is to
- Lower the risk of damage from any protruded teeth
- Correct harmful oral habits such as thumbsucking or tongue thrusting
- Create facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
- Reduce the need for tooth removal
- Reduce treatment time with traditional metal braces
Phase II Treatment
As soon as all the baby teeth have fallen out, Dr. Herman can begin Phase II treatment. This is to ensure that each tooth has a proper location in your child’s mouth to maximize the jaw’s appearance and functionality. Your child may need to wear braces or Invisalign for around 18 to 30 months to complete this phase of the treatment.