Early Orthodontic Intervention: When & Why Children Need Treatment

As a parent, you want to give your child every advantage in life, and that includes a healthy, confident smile. While you might think orthodontic treatment is something to worry about during the teenage years, the truth is that early evaluation and intervention can make all the difference in your child’s dental development. Catching potential problems while your child’s jaw is still growing opens doors to simpler, more effective treatment options that may not be available later.

At Lazzara Orthodontics, we believe that timing is everything when it comes to your child’s orthodontic care. Early orthodontic intervention, also known as Phase 1 treatment, can play a crucial role in your child’s dental development, potentially preventing more complex issues down the road and setting them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

What Is Early Orthodontic Intervention?

Early orthodontic intervention involves diagnosing and treating orthodontic issues in children while they still have some of their baby teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This isn’t because every child needs braces at this age, but rather because early screening allows us to identify potential problems before they become more severe.

During this important developmental stage, your child’s jaw is still growing, making it an ideal time to address certain orthodontic issues. By intervening early, we can guide jaw growth, create space for permanent teeth, and potentially reduce the need for more invasive treatments later on.

When Is Early Intervention Recommended?

Not all orthodontic issues require early treatment. At Lazzara Orthodontics, we carefully evaluate each child to determine if and when intervention is necessary. Early orthodontic treatment is typically recommended for:

Crossbites: When upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, potentially causing jaw shifting and uneven wear
Severe overbites: Excessive protrusion of upper front teeth that increases the risk of dental trauma
Underbites: When lower front teeth sit ahead of upper teeth, it often indicates jaw growth problems
Crowded teeth: Significant crowding that may prevent permanent teeth from erupting properly
Harmful oral habits: Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use that affects jaw development
Early or late loss of baby teeth: This can impact the eruption path of permanent teeth

By addressing these issues early, we can often reduce treatment complexity during adolescence and create better long-term outcomes for your child.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Intervention

When appropriately recommended, early orthodontic treatment offers several key advantages:

Guides Proper Jaw Development

During childhood, jaw bones are still forming and more responsive to orthodontic guidance. We can take advantage of your child’s natural growth to help correct jaw discrepancies that would be more difficult to address after growth is complete. This can prevent the need for more invasive treatments like jaw surgery in adulthood.

Creates Space for Permanent Teeth

Many children experience crowding as their permanent teeth begin to emerge. Early intervention can help create adequate space in the dental arches, reducing the likelihood that permanent teeth will become impacted or erupt in poor positions. This may decrease the need for extractions of permanent teeth later.

Improves Facial Aesthetics

Addressing certain orthodontic issues early can have a positive impact on your child’s facial development and appearance. By guiding jaw growth and tooth alignment, we help ensure balanced facial proportions as your child grows.

Enhances Self-Esteem

Children with noticeable orthodontic issues may experience teasing or feel self-conscious about their appearance. Early intervention can address these concerns during formative years, potentially boosting your child’s confidence and social interactions.

Reduces Risk of Dental Injuries

Protruding front teeth are more susceptible to damage from falls or sports injuries. Early correction of excessive overjet (protrusion) can reduce this risk and protect your child’s smile from potential trauma.

May Shorten Later Treatment

While early intervention doesn’t always eliminate the need for a second phase of treatment when all permanent teeth erupt, it often reduces the complexity and duration of this later phase. For many children, this means less time in braces during the teenage years.

What to Expect During Early Treatment

If we recommend early orthodontic intervention for your child, the process typically involves:

Comprehensive Evaluation – We’ll conduct a thorough examination, take necessary X-rays, and create dental impressions to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Customized Appliances – Depending on your child’s specific needs, we may recommend:
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw
- Space maintainers to preserve room for permanent teeth
- Partial braces on select teeth
- Removable appliances to guide jaw development
- Habit-breaking appliances for thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting
Regular Monitoring – Throughout treatment, we’ll closely track your child’s progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure optimal results.
Observation Period – After the active phase of early treatment, we’ll monitor your child’s growth and development to determine if and when a second phase of treatment might be beneficial.

Early treatment typically lasts between 9-15 months, followed by a period of monitoring as the remaining permanent teeth erupt.

Treatment Costs and Insurance Considerations

At Lazzara Orthodontics, we understand that cost is an important factor when considering orthodontic care. Early intervention treatment typically ranges in cost depending on the complexity of the case and specific treatment needs. Many dental insurance plans provide some coverage for orthodontic treatment, including early intervention.

During your child’s consultation at our Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra office, our treatment coordinator will review your insurance benefits and discuss payment options. We’re committed to making quality orthodontic care accessible to families throughout our community.

Cost Estimates

While every child’s treatment plan is customized to their specific needs, early orthodontic intervention at Lazzara Orthodontics generally ranges from $2,000 to $4,500. This estimate includes:

Initial comprehensive examination
All necessary diagnostic records and X-rays
Orthodontic appliances
Regular adjustment appointments
Retainers (when applicable)
Post-treatment follow-up care

The exact cost will depend on several factors, including the severity of the orthodontic issue, the type of appliances needed, and the estimated treatment duration. During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed cost breakdown specific to your child’s treatment plan.

Flexible Payment Options

We offer several flexible payment arrangements to fit your family’s budget:

Interest-free in-house financing with manageable monthly payments
No-down-payment options for families with qualifying insurance coverage
Family discounts for multiple family members in treatment
Convenient payment methods, including credit cards, automatic bank drafts, and flexible spending accounts

Our team will work with you to find the best arrangement available for your family’s unique needs.

Insurance Coverage

Our team works with most major insurance providers and will help maximize your benefits. We’ll verify your coverage before treatment begins and explain exactly what portion of treatment your insurance will cover and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.

For many families, insurance may cover a significant portion of early orthodontic intervention, especially when treatment addresses functional issues rather than purely cosmetic concerns.

Value of Early Investment

While cost is certainly a consideration, it’s important to view early orthodontic intervention as an investment in your child’s long-term health. Addressing certain orthodontic issues early may reduce the need for more extensive and costly treatments later, potentially saving both time and money in the long run.

During your consultation, we’ll provide a complete breakdown of treatment costs with no hidden fees or surprises. We believe in complete transparency when it comes to the financial aspects of your child’s care, and we’re committed to finding a solution that works for your family.

FAQs

Will my child definitely need braces later if they have early treatment?

Not necessarily. Some children who undergo early intervention may not need comprehensive orthodontic treatment later. However, many will benefit from a second phase of treatment once all permanent teeth have erupted. Early intervention often simplifies this later phase.

Is early orthodontic treatment painful?

Most children adapt quickly to orthodontic appliances with minimal discomfort. Any initial soreness typically subsides within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

How will early treatment impact my child's daily activities?

Most early orthodontic appliances are designed to minimize interference with eating, speaking, and other daily activities. Your child may need a brief adjustment period, but most adapt quickly to their appliances.

What happens if we delay treatment until all permanent teeth erupt?

In some cases, delaying treatment may result in more complex orthodontic issues that require longer treatment times or potentially even surgical intervention. Early evaluation allows us to determine if waiting is appropriate for your child’s specific situation.

Meet Our Orthodontic Specialists

Dr. John Lazzara brings exceptional qualifications and expertise to every patient he treats. After completing his dental education at the LSU School of Dentistry in 1996, Dr. Lazzara received 2-3 years of additional specialized orthodontic training at the Center for Advanced Dental Education at St. Louis University, earning his Master of Science degree in orthodontics.

Dr. Amy Bouvier Poblenz enhances our practice with her comprehensive orthodontic expertise and gentle, patient-centered approach. Like Dr. Lazzara, she completed extensive specialized training in orthodontics beyond her dental education.

Both doctors maintain active memberships in the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Florida Dental Association, ensuring they stay current with the latest advances in orthodontic care.

The Right Time for Your Child’s Evaluation

Every child develops at their own pace, which is why personalized evaluation is so important. At Lazzara Orthodontics, our experienced orthodontists have the specialized training needed to recognize when early intervention will be truly beneficial for Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra families.

We understand that orthodontic treatment is an investment in your child’s future, and we’re committed to recommending treatment only when it offers significant advantages. Sometimes, the best approach is simply monitoring your child’s development until all permanent teeth have erupted.

During your child’s initial consultation, we’ll thoroughly explain our findings and recommendations, answering all your questions so you can make an informed decision about your child’s orthodontic care.

Getting Started with Early Orthodontic Care

The journey to a healthy, beautiful smile begins with a simple evaluation. If your child is approaching age 7 or you’ve noticed potential orthodontic issues, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at our Jacksonville Beach or Ponte Vedra office.

At Lazzara Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care for patients of all ages throughout Jacksonville Beach and surrounding communities. Our team of specialists has the expertise to guide your child through every stage of treatment, from early intervention to the completion of their orthodontic journey. Contact us today to schedule your child’s orthodontic evaluation and take the first step toward a lifetime of healthy smiles.