What Is Phase One Orthodontics?
At Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry, we are all about prevention to maintain long-term healthy smiles. We are pleased to introduce Myobrace®, the leading pre-orthodontic treatment that corrects the underlying causes of crooked teeth, reducing or even eliminating the need for orthodontic treatment down the road. We look forward to getting your child on track to healthy oral development and a naturally aligned smile.
Phase One Orthodontics – An Overview
Phase one, or interceptive orthodontics, takes place when your child still has baby teeth. Many developmental concerns are easily identified and corrected at a young age, lowering the risk of severe misalignment concerns down the road. Phase one orthodontic treatment guides dental and jaw development, preventing or reducing the future need for traditional orthodontic treatments such as braces.
What Are the Underlying Cause of Tooth Misalignment?
Crooked teeth are sometimes hereditary. However, the vast majority of cases are caused by poor jaw and dental development due to incorrect oral or myofunctional habits. These include thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier or baby bottle use, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and reverse swallowing.
Introducing Myobrace® for Naturally Aligned Smiles
Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry is pleased to introduce the Myobrace® System, the newest pre-orthodontic solution that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth and promotes healthy jaw and facial development without the need for braces. The revolutionary treatment is best suited for children ages 5-10 and involves a series of removable intra-oral appliances worn for 1-2 hours each day and during sleep.
What Are Signs Your Child Needs Phase One Orthodontic Treatment?
Signs your child would benefit from Myobrace® early orthodontic treatment include the following:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Limited tongue movement
- Challenges with eating
- Tongue thrusting or reverse swallowing
- Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use
- Frequent choking or gagging
- Speech delays or difficulties
- Difficulty closing the lips to swallow
- Drooling, especially past the second birthday
- Chronic teeth grinding or clenching
- An overbite, crossbite, underbite, or open bite
- Sleep challenges or snoring
How Does Myobrace® Work?
Myobrace® treatment involves the use of removable aligners to treat the underlying causes of crooked teeth. It helps expand the arch form while exerting gentle pressure to align the teeth and jaws and improve jaw growth and development, ensuring your child has the space needed to accommodate their future permanent teeth. That allows the new teeth to come in their proper alignment, preventing a host of orthodontic problems and the need for braces down the road.
Myobrace® treatment corrects poor myofunctional habits by improving the tongue’s resting position and training your child to breathe through the nose. It teaches your child how to swallow correctly and keep the lips together.
An essential component of your child’s treatment is a program known as “Myobrace® Activities.” The engaging and interactive activities focus on correcting poor breathing habits, incorrect tongue position, and dysfunctional swallowing patterns. It includes tongue, lip, cheek, and swallowing exercises performed twice daily at home.
Phase One Orthodontics Near Me in Glendale, AZ
Contact Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about early orthodontic intervention with Myobrace®. We are happy to answer your questions and help determine whether your child would benefit from phase one orthodontics. Our kid-friendly team is committed to ensuring our young patients enjoy straight and healthy smiles for life. Call us at 623-322-2277 to schedule your child’s appointment today!