Guiding Growth, Preventing Problems

Interceptive Orthodontics

Many parents assume they should wait until all of their child's baby teeth have fallen out before seeing Dr. Ketan Jumani. However, waiting that long can sometimes make correcting problems much more difficult, expensive, and invasive.

Interceptive Orthodontics (often called Phase 1 Treatment) takes place when a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth—usually between ages 6 and 10. The goal isn't necessarily to make the teeth perfectly straight right now, but to "steer the ship" of your child's jaw growth to create enough room for all the permanent teeth to arrive safely.

Why the "Age 7" Rule?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up by age 7. Why 7? By this age, the first permanent molars and incisors have usually erupted, establishing the back bite. This allows Dr. Ketan Jumani to evaluate:

Front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships.
The presence of severe crowding.
Habitual issues like thumb sucking or mouth breathing.
Jaw discrepancies (overbite/underbite).

Signs Your Child May Need Phase 1

Not every child needs early treatment! We only recommend Phase 1 if there is a specific developmental problem that will get worse if left alone.

Crossbite: When the upper jaw is too narrow, causing the top teeth to sit inside the bottom teeth.
Protruding Teeth: Front teeth that stick out ("buck teeth") are at high risk of being broken during play or sports.
Severe Crowding: If baby teeth are falling out and the permanent teeth have literally nowhere to go.
Thumb Sucking: If the habit persists past age 5, it can warp the shape of the jaw roof and push teeth outward.
Underbite: When the lower jaw grows faster than the upper jaw.

How We Treat It

Phase 1 treatment typically lasts 9–12 months. Common appliances include:

Palatal Expanders: A device that gently widens the upper jaw to fix crossbites and create space.
Partial Braces: Brackets on just a few front teeth to align them.
Space Maintainers: Holding space open for future teeth.
Habit Appliances: Gentle reminders that sit in the mouth to stop thumb sucking.

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(425) 270-3758

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Answers to Your Common Questions

Does Phase 1 mean my child won't need braces later?

Not necessarily. Most children who undergo Phase 1 will still need a second round of braces ("Phase 2") when they are 12 or 13 to fine-tune the alignment. However, because we fixed the major structural issues early, Phase 2 is usually much faster, easier, and avoids the need for tooth extractions or jaw surgery.

Is a Palatal Expander painful?

It looks intimidating, but it is generally not painful. When you turn the key to widen the expander, your child will feel pressure in the sinuses or nose for a minute or two, but it fades quickly. Most children get used to talking and eating with it within a few days.

Can’t we just wait until they are older?

For some issues, yes. But for skeletal issues like a narrow jaw or an underbite, we are racing against the clock. We can only guide the jaw while it is actively growing. Once the jaw bone fuses and stops growing (in the teen years), fixing a crossbite becomes a surgical procedure rather than a simple orthodontic one.

Will insurance cover two phases of treatment?

Many dental insurance plans have a lifetime orthodontic maximum. Some plans allow you to use a portion for Phase 1 and save the rest for Phase 2. Our treatment coordinator will check your specific benefits to help you maximize your coverage.

Disclaimer: Please note that the provided information above is based on general knowledge, and it's always recommended to consult with Dr. Ketan Jumanji or our dental team for personalized advice and recommendations regarding your or your child's specific dental needs and conditions.

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