Early Interceptive Orthodontics in Asheville, NC

Starting orthodontic care for your young child may seem drastic. But by beginning proactive care early, we can help minimize or even eliminate their need for more extensive treatments in the future. Give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Why Should I Choose Early Interceptive Orthodontics?

Because the sooner you get treatment for your child, the better the alignment of their teeth and jaws will be. Orthodontic problems often become obvious as early as the age of 6-8 in some kids. By using special early orthodontic treatments, orthodontists can correct lots of these problems while your child’s jaws are still growing, and before all of their permanent teeth erupt. This is known as “Phase 1” orthodontic treatment. Getting phase 1 treatment can simplify your child’s future treatment with braces, and can even eliminate the need for further orthodontic procedures, in some cases.

Flexible Financing

Insurance-friendly office

In-House Financing

Keeping Care Accessible

We believe that everyone deserves a chance at a healthy smile, and that’s why we do everything we can to make paying for dental care as easy as possible.

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The Benefits of Phase 1 Orthodontics

Develop A Healthy Bite

Phase 1 orthodontics is particularly important in young patients who may have issues with how the adult teeth are erupting or potential jaw problems like a narrow palate. These issues can interfere with the development of a healthy bite. In the future, this could lead to problems when the remaining permanent teeth erupt like speech impediments, premature tooth wear, and lots of other problems. With early interceptive orthodontics, these complex issues can be reduced or eliminated.

Reduce Tooth Misalignment

Early interceptive orthodontics helps the adult teeth erupt in the proper places, and can reduce misalignment of adult teeth. This improves your child’s smile and oral health. In some cases, they may not even need braces (phase 2 orthodontics) to straighten their teeth.

Treat Other Dental/Health Complications

A bad bite and misaligned teeth can contribute to or cause lots of other problems including a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay, speech issues, and much more. Proper care from an expert orthodontist can help prevent these problems.

Special Needs Care

No matter your child’s needs, our team is delighted to give them the tailored treatment they deserve. We take the time to understand their unique condition, personality, and preferences to make them feel comfortable, heard, and cared for.

Space Maintenance

Space maintainers are essential if your child loses a baby tooth early. Baby teeth are meant to fall out eventually. But they also help form the “paths” that the adult teeth take when they emerge, and help young patients maintain proper alignment for their permanent teeth. With a space maintainer, we can ensure early baby tooth loss doesn’t affect their oral development.

Intraoral Scanner

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 images allow us to create efficient, accurate treatment plans so your kiddo can put their best smile forward!

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.

Fellowship Trained

Dr. Liz is all about spreading the knowledge. As a fellowship trained orthodontist, she's an expert in interceptive orthodontics and has taught countless dentists the ins and outs of this important technique. So, if you're looking for an orthodontist who knows their stuff and is all about helping others, look no further.

Calm, Fun Environment

When it comes to providing a soothing patient experience, the little details are a big deal at our office. From the kindest and most qualified team of smile pros you’ll ever meet to our state-of-the-art technology, come see why kids love coming to Everyday Orthodontics!

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The Early Interceptive Orthodontics Treatment Process

Initial Consultation

First, your child will need to have an appointment with an experienced orthodontist. Your child’s orthodontist will take detailed x-rays, perform a comprehensive exam, and assess their overall oral health to determine if your child needs phase 1 orthodontics.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Once your child is approved for treatment, their orthodontist will develop a customized treatment plan. This could include special braces, habit appliances to help with things like thumb-sucking or bad swallow, palate expanders, and a variety of other treatments. Every child is different, so your orthodontist will discuss their plan with you and schedule all of the necessary follow-ups and checkups.

Regular Orthodontic Check-Ups

Phase 1 orthodontics typically takes 6-12 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.

Did you know?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that kids get their first orthodontic consultation no later than the age of 7 years old.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.

What are the signs that my child may need early interceptive orthodontics?

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.

What are the benefits of early interceptive orthodontics?

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.

What causes orthodontic problems in my child?

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.

At what age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?

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.

How much does early interceptive orthodontics cost?

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.

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