TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
Early Orthodontic Intervention.
Guiding natural growth today to prevent complex problems tomorrow.
Guiding Growth, Not Just Teeth.
How can early orthodontic intervention be valuable for kids?
In the first phase of our 2-Phase Orthodontics Approach, we can take advantage of the natural growth patterns of your child’s mouth to guide jaw and palate development and make a positive impact.
Did you know that by age 12, nearly 90% of your child’s facial development is already complete?
This makes the years between 5 and 11 the most critical window for guiding your child’s smile. By following the Canadian Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation for an initial assessment by Age 7, we can take advantage of your child’s natural growth patterns to address the root cause of developmental issues while the jaw is still adaptable.
The Critical Growth Window
Guiding Natural Growth
Since 90% of facial development happens by age 12, we take advantage of this critical window (ages 5–11) to guide the jaw and palate while they are still adaptable.
Preventing Future Surgery
By addressing the root cause of developmental issues now, we aim to eliminate the need for invasive oral surgery or permanent tooth extractions later in life.
Creating Space & Function
Using tools like Invisalign First or expanders, we improve the width of dental arches to make room for adult teeth and correct functional issues like chewing and swallowing.
Correcting Harmful Habits
We provide positive intervention to stop habits like thumbsucking or tongue thrusting before they can permanently distort the shape of the growing mouth.
What happens during Phase 1?
Designed for ages 5–11, this phase targets bite issues, crowding, and airway health before they become permanent problems.
The Blueprint
We start by developing a customized treatment plan that maps out the entire journey. We look at immediate needs—like airway obstructions or bite issues—while keeping the future Phase 2 in mind.
Active Guidance
Depending on your child's unique growth, we use targeted appliances to guide development. The most common tools include Palatal Expanders, Partial Braces, or Invisalign First.
Reducing Risk
The goal is long-term health. By taking these steps now, we preserve oral function and often simplify—or shorten—the treatment required in their teenage years.
Faq
Questions Parents Ask Most.
Deciding on early treatment can feel overwhelming. Here are honest answers to the most common questions about timing, growth, and your child’s smile.
Untreated orthodontic issues can become serious and lead to more problems as children mature. By intervening early, our orthodontists at Vivid Orthodontics can potentially offer less invasive treatments and prevent problems from becoming more severe later on.
The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids have their first orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7. This is because young children’s skeletal structures are malleable as they continue to develop and grow, making it possible to change the trajectory of jaw development, potentially helping to prevent the need for surgery as your child develops.
A common misconception is that orthodontic treatment can only begin when permanent teeth have fully erupted. But in fact, the opposite is true.
The earlier we can detect orthodontic issues, the sooner we can address them while the jaw is still developing, which can lead to better outcomes for oral and overall health, and less need for invasive measures such as tooth extraction or surgery later on. This is why early detection is critical to future oral health in your child’s teen and adult years.
Dental decay, mouth breathing and thumbsucking can cause significant orthodontic problems later in life. With Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatments, we can often treat these issues early to prevent them from worsening.
By addressing other common problems, such as teeth crowding, we can often help eliminate the need for tooth extractions and other invasive procedures as your child grows and jaw structure becomes less malleable.
Treatment can begin when your child still has baby teeth. During the first phase of treatment (which typically lasts up to 9 months), your child will wear a retainer until their permanent teeth emerge.
After their permanent teeth have erupted, we can identify whether Phase 2 treatment is needed.
The majority of children who need Phase 1 treatment will need a second phase of treatment. However, the second phase can be shorter and less invasive if progress is made during early Phase 1 treatment. That’s why early visits are important.
Don't guess.Know for sure.
You do not need a referral to assess your child’s growth. Our complimentary screening will tell you if intervention is needed or if you can simply watch and wait.