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Early Orthodontic Treatment
Portland, OR

Today, orthodontic treatment is being offered to younger patients than it used to be. As knowledge and advancements in orthodontics has increased, studies have shown that early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s orthodontic needs. We can help your child guide their permanent teeth in the right place instead of fixing the placement after it happens. Traditionally, it was common to see the orthodontist for the first time during the early teen years and then go through high school with metal braces. Now, many children may benefit from two phases of orthodontic care, beginning around age seven. At Great Grins for KIDS - Portland, we can help your child have a healthier bite easier and faster.

Why The Earlier Treatment?


Increasingly, we are using the term interceptive to describe early orthodontic treatment. We can play an interceptive role in your child’s teeth development and help guide their teeth into correct positioning, in some cases preventing malocclusion. Studies have found that the best time to make orthodontic skeletal changes is while a child's bone structure is still developing. We can catch potential problems, including overcrowding or in some cases if the front teeth stick out too much leaving them vulnerable to being damaged from falls or sports injuries.

Phase One


The first phase of Early Orthodontics usually occurs between ages 7 and 10. We will evaluate the growth of the jaw, check how your child’s teeth are growing, and if there is opportunity to correct growth such as:
•  Protruding Incisors: If the front teeth are protruding, making them vulnerable to fracture.
•  Severely Rotated Incisors: If the front teeth are forward facing or not.
•  Ectopic Eruption: If teeth are erupting in the wrong direction.
•  Crossbite: If the jaw closes with some upper teeth set over and some upper teeth set behind the lower arch.


Because two phases of appliances cost more in time, money, and patient tolerance, we reserve Early Orthodontics for patients who can really benefit from it the most.

Discussing the Early Orthodontic treatment option does not mean that all kids will receive orthodontic treatment early; it is simply a good idea to get things started early in order to determine the best treatment plan for your child. Read More About When to Start Braces.

Phase Two


The second phase of orthodontic care is the creation or setting of an appliance to help move your child’s teeth. This can include a retainer, braces, aligners and more. In this phase, our goal is to make sure each tooth has a spot. We want the teeth to work in harmony with the cheeks, tongue, lips, surrounding tissue and neighboring teeth. Helping the teeth be in balance will help your entire mouth function together properly.

Braces today come with a variety of options including:
•  Traditional Metal Braces
•  Ceramic Brackets
•  Lingual Braces
•  Self Ligating Wires
•  Invisalign
•  Heat Activated Archwires


Contact Us


We can help your child have a healthier, more attractive smile. Early intervention can make a significant difference in time and money. For more information, contact our Portland office at (971) 470-0054.
My daughter was a little nervous to have her dental work done but everyone in the office was super friendly and very reassuring and that helped her nervousness go away. Thanks for the excellent dental experience. ~ Lilyana G.


Read More Testimonials

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Pediatric Dentist Portland, OR | Orthodontics - Great Grins
Discussing the Early Orthodontic treatment option does not mean that all kids will receive orthodontic treatment early; it is simply a good idea to get things started early in order to determine the best treatment plan for your child.
Great Grins for KIDS Portland, 13908 SE Stark Street, Ste C, Portland, OR 97233-2161 ^ (971) 470-0054 ^ portlandchildrensdentist.com ^ 10/31/2024 ^ Page Phrases: Orthodontist Portland ^