07/15/2026
👏 Amazing Phase I outcome!!
We often get questions about Phase I treatment and why we prefer seeing patients for their first orthodontic visit at an early age.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist as early as age 7, and we follow that same guidance! That doesn’t mean every child needs Phase I treatment, but an early evaluation allows us to:
• Detect early issues and treat them when needed.
• Prevent more significant problems later that may require more extensive treatment and longer treatment times.
• Create increased arch width and better alignment to improve the successful eruption of permanent teeth into their proper positions, bone, and tissue (as shown in this case).
Looking at the photos, notice the difference in the amount of space available for the upper and lower canines to eventually erupt! 🦷 This patient is now on a path toward a decreased risk of teeth erupting in positions that could lead to gingival recession and poor gingival attachment. Early treatment also increases the likelihood of a non-extraction treatment plan when she’s older.
Because of the work completed during Phase I, Phase II treatment will also likely be much shorter and simpler. 🙌🏼
