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Early Interceptive Orthodontics in Overland Park
Not every child will need early orthodontic treatment—but an exam around age 7 can help us catch any developing issues before they become more complex. Like all things in orthodontics, Dr. Bergman never takes a one-size-fits-all approach. She carefully evaluates each child’s unique needs and only recommends early treatment when it’s truly necessary to prevent more serious problems down the road. By identifying concerns early, we can often take a limited, proactive approach that reduces the need for more extensive treatment later on. It’s a small step now that can make a big impact on your child’s lifelong oral health.
What Is Early Interceptive Orthodontics?
Orthodontic issues can start to show up as early as age 6 to 8. With a screening, we can identify specific concerns that may benefit from early intervention. Using specialized Phase 1 treatments while your child’s jaw is still developing allows us to guide proper growth, create space for incoming teeth, and correct bite problems before they become more severe. In many cases, this early approach can make future treatment with braces simpler—or even unnecessary.
Your child may be a good candidate for early orthodontic treatment if they show signs such as:
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Excessively gapped teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Prolonged thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these concerns early—before they lead to more complex issues over time.
The Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics
Develop A Healthy Bite
Not every child will need early treatment—but the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7. At this visit, the orthodontist isn’t just looking at how straight the teeth are. Instead, we’re evaluating specific developmental concerns that may need early attention before all the permanent teeth come in.
Reduce Tooth Misalignment
Early interceptive orthodontics helps the adult teeth erupt in the proper places, and can reduce the misalignment of adult teeth. This improves your child’s smile and oral health.
Support Overall Health and Function
When the teeth and jaws aren’t properly aligned, it can impact more than just your child’s smile. Early orthodontic treatment can support healthy oral function—including speech, chewing, and breathing—and may also help reduce the risk of dental trauma or premature wear. In some cases, it’s even used alongside other therapies, like speech or myofunctional therapy, to support your child’s overall health and development.
Our Difference
Board-Certified Orthodontist
When you bring your child to a board-certified orthodontist, you’re getting the peace of mind knowing that your little one’s smile is in the hands of an experienced professional who is dedicated to keeping up with the latest advancements in orthodontics and patient care.
No More Messy Impressions
With our intraoral scanner, we’re able to create accurate 3D models of your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw structure, all without the need for messy impressions. These scans are also useful tools when needed to visualize treatment outcomes and evaluate options.
The Early Interceptive Orthodontics Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
First, your child will need to have an appointment with an experienced orthodontist. Our team will take records and Dr. Bergman will perform a comprehensive exam to assess early orthodontic treatment needs.
Personalized Treatment, Only When It’s Needed
Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment. A first check-in around age 7 helps Dr. Bergman spot any issues that may benefit from early care—but in many cases, kids can wait until all their permanent teeth are in. For those patients, we’ll simply monitor their growth with regular check-ins and begin treatment when the time is right. If early intervention is needed, Dr. Bergman will create a personalized plan designed just for your child.
Regular Orthodontic Check-Ups
Phase 1 orthodontics typically takes about 12 months, though some patients may have shorter or longer treatment times. During this time, your child will come back to our office for frequent visits with their orthodontist. Their orthodontist will check on their oral health, examine their progress, and make sure everything’s on track. This same process will continue until your child’s treatment is complete.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
If your child is showcasing one or more of the following signs & symptoms, they may be a good candidate for early interceptive orthodontic treatment:
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Crowded teeth
- Excessively gapped teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Excessive thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking
Our team is happy to work directly with you and your child to assess these symptoms before they become severe issues over time.
Early treatment can be in a patient’s best interest if their problem is one that could worsen over time and cause severe dental issues in adulthood if left untreated. The goal of early treatment is to recognize and eliminate these problems as early as possible, so a child’s teeth and jaw can properly grow and maintain space for incoming adult teeth.
While many orthodontic problems are inherited, some are caused by common habits over time, such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, or excessive pacifier use. Other factors such as mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents, and poor nutrition can alter your child’s teeth and jaw alignment. No matter the cause, our team will cater to your child’s unique needs and teach them healthy habits for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child’s first check-up should take place before the age of 7 or any time an orthodontic issue is noticed before then. By the age of 7, your child’s mouth holds enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to gain a strong understanding of your child’s mouth and jaws as they develop. This provides your orthodontist with plenty of information to give your child a tailored treatment.
The cost of early interceptive orthodontics is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost include the severity of your child’s teeth misalignment, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for your child’s early interceptive orthodontics is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist.
