{"id":168,"date":"2025-12-07T17:22:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T17:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplyortho.com\/blog\/?p=168"},"modified":"2026-01-19T17:30:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T17:30:28","slug":"phase-1-orthodontics-fine-tuning-your-childs-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplyortho.com\/blog\/phase-1-orthodontics-fine-tuning-your-childs-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"Phase 1 Orthodontics: Fine-Tuning Your Child\u2019s Smile Early On"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If your child\u2019s dentist has recently informed you that your 8-year-old needs to see an orthodontist, you aren\u2019t hearing things\u2014in fact, you may even hear this when your little one is 7! The truth is, some children benefit greatly from early orthodontic treatment,<\/a> even if braces seem like a rite-of-passage for teens and older patients. Here\u2019s what you need to know about this process, along with some ways of knowing when it\u2019s time to schedule that orthodontist appointment for your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Phase 1 Orthodontics?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Also sometimes called \u201cinterceptive\u201d orthodontics, this form of treatment can be started when there are still baby teeth present, but some adult teeth have erupted. This might seem a little odd\u2014and you may be wondering why straightening both primary and permanent teeth is necessary. Simply put, phase 1 orthodontics is highly likely to make any future orthodontic treatment that your child may need far easier, faster, and less complicated. With a little bit of luck involved, it may even prevent the need for braces entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Is Phase 1 Orthodontics Needed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many young children have a bizarre-looking mouthful of teeth; there could be a mixture of tiny teeth, larger teeth, and even gaps that represent where teeth once were. In these cases, it\u2019s easy to see why braces might be helpful; however, every child\u2019s smile is different, and sometimes it\u2019s not obvious if orthodontic treatment is needed. That\u2019s why an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 or 8 is crucial. After this, phase 1 treatment can be used to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n