Pediatric Orthodontist near Flushing, NY
Set Your Child Up for a Lifelong Healthy Smile
As children develop their smile, it is important to note the formation and structure of their teeth and jaws. To do so, we encourage you and your child to visit our professional and compassionate pediatric orthodontist near Flushing, NY. The American Academy of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated at age seven, and our entire team at Avenue Orthodontics couldn’t agree more.
Phase 1
Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase 1 treatment, is advantageous because a young child’s teeth have not finished erupting and their jaws are still developing; this allows us to guide their eruption and address any problems with skeletal (jaw) growth at the earliest possible stage. Whether your child needs removable or fixed appliances, early orthodontic treatment can help to:
- Provide more room for crowded erupting teeth
- Preserve space for teeth that have not yet erupted
- Create facial symmetry by guiding jaw growth
- Reduce the possible need for tooth extraction
- Reduce the overall treatment time
When you bring your child to our practice, our orthodontists will be able to determine whether early orthodontic treatment is needed and when it should begin. If Phase 1 treatment is needed, we will create a personalized treatment plan for optimal results.
Phase 2
If your child completed Phase 1 treatment and their early braces and appliances have been removed, there will typically be a rest period to allow their permanent teeth to come in. At this time, they can experience the benefits of early treatment with a more attractive smile while beginning the early adolescent years, a time when children often feel awkward about their appearance. This allows your child to see the results of Phase 1 treatment and to be ready for Phase 2 if needed.
When more of the permanent teeth are present, Phase 2 treatment begins. This generally consists of a full set of metal braces, clear braces or lingual braces. Invisalign® may also be an option in certain cases.
Early Dentofacial Orthopedics
While orthodontics involves changing the positions of the teeth, dentofacial orthopedics involves guiding the growth and development of the bones of the face, particularly the upper and lower jaws. These treatments work best when they’re done at a younger age before children reach puberty when there is more potential to change the shapes and sizes of bones. During puberty, the bones fuse and growth stops, making changes in the shape of a bone much more difficult.
Palate Expanders
There are several appliances that orthodontists use which can influence a child’s facial growth and development. One of the most common is the palate expander, an appliance that is bonded to select upper teeth, and which place gradual pressure on the palate when activated. This pressure widens the palate by applying orthopedic forces on the suture located at the center of the palate. As the palate gradually widens, new bone grows to fill the space. The palatal expander is usually worn for six to nine months, with the exact amount of time depending on the child’s needs. Generally, when a palatal expander is used, braces will still be needed to straighten the teeth and close any spaces between teeth that formed as the palate widens.
Our pediatric orthodontists are specialists in both orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, so you can feel comfortable and confident with the care that your child will receive. If early orthodontic treatment is needed, we will create a personalized treatment plan for optimal results.
Learn More About Our Pediatric Orthodontist near Flushing, NY Today
To experience our 5-star-rated orthodontic care, schedule your child’s complimentary New Patient Smile Assessment today by calling 516-484-0234 to reach our Roslyn office, 718-767-8400 to reach our Whitestone office, or by clicking here. Your appointment includes:
- A Discussion of Your Goals
- In-Depth Exam & Images
- Personalized Treatment Plan
- A $450 value, compliments of Avenue Orthodontics
During your child’s new patient appointment, we will take the time to answer all your questions about our orthodontic treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us!
As one of the premier orthodontic practices near Flushing, NY, our orthodontist and team at Avenue Orthodontics also provide 5-star orthodontic care to patients from Roslyn, Whitestone, Port Washington, Manhasset (Plandome), East Hills, College Point, Little Neck (Douglaston), Bayside, Westbury & Great Neck, NY & the surrounding areas.