Phase 1 Orthodontics—Schoharie, NY
For Parents Who Think Ahead
As a mother of two, our orthodontist Dr. Cheryl Sorbero knows firsthand that having young children requires a lot of planning. Do I need to bring snacks? A change of clothes? Will they need a hat? Phase 1 Orthodontics in Schoharie brings this same energy and consideration to your child’s smile, tackling today’s crowding and crookedness so they don’t affect their adult teeth down the line. If your intuition makes you think they need to see an orthodontist, you’re probably right. Put your mind at ease and reach out today.
Why Choose Schoharie Dental for Phase 1 Orthodontics?
- In-House Orthodontist
- Dental Team Led by Fellow Parents
- Comfortable & Family-Friendly Dental Office
How Phase 1 Orthodontics Works
A quick online search will bring you to several resources that recommend your child getting an orthodontic screening around the age of seven. This is good advice, but if you’re already noticing misaligned teeth and pronounced malocclusion (severe overbite or underbite), you don’t need to wait.
Phase 1 Orthodontics is designed to address early age problems now and prevent others from developing down the road. This can take the form of limited braces or a removable oral appliance. Generally, the idea is to guide the development of the dental arch so that the adult teeth have all the room they need to come in straight.
While regular braces might still be necessary when the adult teeth come in, the overall length of treatment will be much shorter compared to only using braces because so much work has already been done.
Who is a Good Candidate for Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Dr. Sorbero recommends bringing your child in for an orthodontic screening if they…
- Are sucking their thumb past the age of three or four (after several of their teeth have come in)
- Have baby teeth that are coming in crooked or behind one another
- Have a misaligned bite (overbite, underbite, cross bite, open bite)
- Have difficulty eating certain foods that require a lot of chewing
- Snore or seem tired/hyperactive despite getting an adequate amount of sleep (a mouth that is too small for the teeth can also create a restricted upper airway)
The Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics
- Helps your child enjoy a straight, more confident smile as soon as possible
- Can fix ongoing discomfort while eating and speaking
- Able to address sleep breathing issues that can cause ADHD-like symptoms
- Reduces the overall timeline and need for orthodontic care (saving $$$)
- Gentler and more conservative approach because problems are addressed quickly
- Lets parents be proactive