As a parent, you want to give your child every advantage in life—and that includes a healthy, confident smile. While many people associate braces with teenagers, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This recommendation isn’t about putting braces on every seven-year-old; it’s about identifying potential problems early when they’re often easier and less costly to correct.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jordan Jaffe—a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics—has helped countless young patients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts benefit from early intervention orthodontics. Also known as Phase 1 treatment or interceptive orthodontics, this approach addresses developing problems before they become more serious, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Early intervention orthodontics refers to orthodontic treatment that takes place while a child still has a mix of primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth—typically between ages seven and ten. Rather than waiting until all permanent teeth have erupted, this approach addresses specific issues during a critical window of jaw growth and dental development.
The goal isn’t necessarily to perfect the smile at this young age. Instead, early intervention focuses on guiding jaw growth, creating space for incoming permanent teeth, correcting harmful oral habits, and reducing the risk of trauma to protruding teeth. After Phase 1 treatment, most children enter a resting period where remaining permanent teeth are monitored as they come in. Some patients may need a shorter, simpler Phase 2 treatment during adolescence, while others may not need additional orthodontic work at all.
You might wonder why orthodontists recommend an evaluation at such a young age. By age seven, enough permanent teeth have typically erupted to identify potential problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth. More importantly, a child’s jaw bones are still growing and malleable, making it possible to guide development in ways that become much more difficult—or even impossible—once growth is complete.
During an early evaluation, Dr. Jaffe can identify issues such as crossbites that could cause asymmetric jaw growth, severe crowding that may require tooth extraction later if not addressed, protruding front teeth at risk of injury, underbites that will worsen with continued growth, harmful habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, and early or late loss of baby teeth.
Not every child who comes in for an early evaluation will need treatment. In many cases, Dr. Jaffe will simply monitor your child’s development and recommend the optimal time to begin treatment if it becomes necessary.
Wondering if your child could benefit from an early orthodontic evaluation? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics or call our Barrington office at (401) 245-2626, Portsmouth at (401) 293-5555, or Swansea at (508) 375-3846 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
One of the most significant advantages of early intervention is the ability to influence jaw growth while bones are still developing. Conditions like crossbites, underbites, and severe overbites are much easier to correct in growing children than in adults whose jaw development is complete.
For example, a palatal expander can widen a narrow upper jaw in a child, creating space for permanent teeth and correcting a crossbite. This same correction in an adult would likely require surgery. By taking advantage of natural growth, early treatment can achieve results that would be impossible—or far more invasive—later in life.
Crowding is one of the most common orthodontic issues, and it often becomes apparent as permanent teeth begin erupting into a mouth that doesn’t have enough room. When left untreated, severe crowding can lead to impacted teeth (teeth that can’t erupt properly), permanent teeth coming in at awkward angles, the need for tooth extraction during later treatment, and increased difficulty maintaining oral hygiene.
Early intervention can create the space needed for permanent teeth to erupt properly. This might involve expanding the palate, removing specific baby teeth at strategic times, or using appliances to hold space for teeth that haven’t yet erupted.
Children with protruding front teeth are significantly more likely to experience dental trauma during falls, sports, and everyday play. Studies suggest that children with an overjet (horizontal protrusion of upper front teeth) greater than 3mm are more than twice as likely to injure their front teeth.
Early orthodontic treatment can bring protruding teeth back into a safer position, reducing the risk of chips, fractures, or even tooth loss from accidents. This protective benefit alone makes early evaluation worthwhile for children with noticeably protruding front teeth.
Thumb sucking, finger sucking, tongue thrusting, and prolonged pacifier use can all affect dental and jaw development if they continue past a certain age. These habits can cause open bites (where front teeth don’t meet), narrow palates, protruding front teeth, and speech difficulties.
Early intervention can include habit-breaking appliances that help children stop these behaviors before permanent damage occurs. The earlier these habits are addressed, the more likely the mouth is to self-correct as the child grows.
Children are perceptive, and dental issues can affect their self-image from a young age. Protruding teeth, visible crowding, or jaw discrepancies may lead to self-consciousness, reluctance to smile, and social challenges during formative years.
Addressing obvious orthodontic issues early can have a positive impact on a child’s confidence and social development. While this isn’t the primary reason for early treatment, it’s a meaningful benefit for many families.
Give your child the gift of a healthy smile. Schedule a consultation at Jaffe Orthodontics today, or call (401) 245-2626 (Barrington), (401) 293-5555 (Portsmouth), or (508) 375-3846 (Swansea).
A crossbite occurs when upper teeth sit inside lower teeth rather than outside them. This can happen on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the mouth. Left untreated, crossbites can cause asymmetric jaw growth, uneven wear on teeth, jaw pain and dysfunction, and facial asymmetry.
Early treatment with a palatal expander can correct crossbites while the jaw is still growing, often preventing the need for surgery later.
An underbite occurs when the lower jaw protrudes forward, causing lower teeth to sit in front of upper teeth. This condition tends to worsen with growth, making early intervention particularly valuable. Treatment may involve appliances that encourage forward growth of the upper jaw or restrain excessive growth of the lower jaw.
When it’s clear that a child’s mouth won’t have room for all permanent teeth, early treatment can create space through expansion or strategic management of baby tooth loss. This can reduce or eliminate the need for permanent tooth extraction during later treatment.
Significant protrusion of upper front teeth increases injury risk and can affect a child’s appearance and confidence. Early treatment can bring these teeth back into a more protected, aesthetically pleasing position.
An open bite—where front teeth don’t overlap when back teeth are together—is often caused by thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Early intervention addresses both the habit and its effects on tooth position.
If Dr. Jaffe determines that your child would benefit from early intervention, here’s what you can expect.
During your child’s first visit to Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jaffe will conduct a thorough examination, including digital X-rays and photographs. Using advanced technology like the iCat 3D imaging system, he can see the precise position of teeth—including those that haven’t yet erupted—and evaluate jaw growth patterns. This comprehensive assessment allows him to determine whether early treatment is recommended and, if so, what approach would be most effective.
Phase 1 treatment typically lasts 9 to 18 months, depending on the issues being addressed. This is followed by a resting period during which remaining permanent teeth are monitored.
Depending on your child’s specific needs, treatment may involve palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, partial braces on specific teeth, space maintainers to hold room for permanent teeth, habit-breaking appliances, headgear or other growth-modification appliances, or removable appliances for specific corrections.
Dr. Jaffe will explain exactly what appliances are recommended and why, ensuring you and your child understand the treatment plan.
After Phase 1 is complete, appliances are typically removed and your child enters a resting phase. During this time, remaining baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth continue erupting. Dr. Jaffe will monitor progress with periodic check-ups to determine whether Phase 2 treatment will be needed.
Some children who undergo early intervention will need a second phase of treatment during adolescence to fine-tune tooth positions once all permanent teeth have erupted. The good news is that Phase 2 treatment is often shorter and simpler because the major issues were already addressed during Phase 1.
Have questions about your child’s dental development? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics or call our Barrington office at (401) 245-2626, Portsmouth at (401) 293-5555, or Swansea at (508) 375-3846 to learn more.
While every child should have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven, certain signs may indicate a more pressing need. Contact an orthodontist if you notice early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking or other oral habits past age five, crowded or misplaced teeth, jaws that click or make sounds, teeth that don’t meet properly, or front teeth that protrude noticeably.
Even if you don’t notice obvious problems, an early evaluation provides valuable peace of mind. If treatment isn’t needed now, you’ll know what to watch for as your child grows.
Choosing the right orthodontist for your child is an important decision. At Jaffe Orthodontics, families throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts trust Dr. Jaffe for several reasons.
Board-Certified Expertise: Dr. Jaffe is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a distinction held by a minority of practicing orthodontists. This certification represents a commitment to the highest standards of orthodontic care.
Advanced Technology: From iCat 3D imaging to iTero digital scanning, Jaffe Orthodontics uses cutting-edge technology to ensure accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment. Digital impressions mean no messy molds, and 3D imaging provides a complete picture of your child’s dental development.
Family-Friendly Environment: We understand that visiting the orthodontist can be intimidating for children. Our welcoming offices in Barrington, Portsmouth, and Swansea are designed to put young patients at ease.
Convenient Locations: With three offices serving Rhode Island and Massachusetts, we make it easy for families in Barrington, Portsmouth, Bristol, Warren, Tiverton, Middletown, Providence, Swansea, and surrounding communities to access quality orthodontic care.
Early intervention orthodontics is truly an investment in your child’s future. By addressing developing problems at the right time, you can potentially reduce the complexity and cost of future treatment, take advantage of natural growth to achieve results that would be difficult later, protect your child from dental trauma, help your child develop confidence in their smile, and set the foundation for a lifetime of oral health.
The first step is simple: schedule an evaluation. Even if treatment isn’t needed now, you’ll gain valuable insight into your child’s dental development and know exactly what to expect in the years ahead.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, we believe every child deserves a healthy, beautiful smile. Dr. Jordan Jaffe and our caring team are here to guide your family through every step of the orthodontic journey—from that first evaluation through the moment your child reveals their transformed smile.
Ready to learn whether early intervention could benefit your child? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Call our Barrington office at (401) 245-2626, Portsmouth at (401) 293-5555, or Swansea at (508) 375-3846. We proudly serve families throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, and we look forward to welcoming you to our practice!
Adult Orthodontics
Announcements
Braces
Feature
Invisalign
Jaffe Orthodontics
Malocclusion
News
Orthodontics
Photo Blog
Recipes
Tips
Video Blog
Braces-Friendly Summer Recipes
June 23, 2016Your Smile with Invisalign
April 28, 2016Reduce Orthodontic Treatment Time With AcceleDent!
October 20, 2015
Thank you for choosing Dr. Jordan Jaffe as your local Barrington, Portsmouth, Bristol, Middletown, RI and Swansea, MA orthodontist. At Jaffe Orthodontics, we work hard to accommodate your schedule and make an appointment that works best for you. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation for our clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen treatment and more please fill out the form below. Once you submit our form, a member of our Barrington and Portsmouth orthodontics staff will contact you as soon as possible.