Above all else, Total Orthodontics is known for one thing–conservative care.
" I have worked at TO since 2008, and our team is really experienced. This is especially important with our younger patients undergoing Phase One treatment. We make it fun and we are gentle! "
We do not recommend unnecessary treatment–ever. Though we do perform early orthodontic treatment when it is supported by the research or requested by parents for cosmetic reasons, over 90% of our patients have braces one time and one time only. Indeed, we have over 1,600 children in our complimentary Growth and Guidance Program. These are children who came in for an orthodontic exam, and one of our doctors determined it was too early to start treatment.
At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This allows Dr. Barefoot, Dr. Theroux, and Dr. Donahue to determine if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated. Many of the dentists in our community have been trained to identify orthodontic problems early and may refer you to our office earlier than age 7.
Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Certain types of orthodontic problems can most easily and effectively be treated when the patient is young, typically between the ages of 7 and 10. In fact, there are a few clinical situations that can ONLY be treated during this early timeframe. The doctors will develop a plan based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed in our Growth and Guidance Program, called our Kids’ Club.
Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not benefit all children, and our doctors believe that two-phase treatment is over-prescribed. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted.
Some skeletal orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or completed. The doctors will develop a plan for treatment based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed in our Growth and Guidance Program, called our Kids’ Club.
What is the Kids’ Club?
The Kids’ Club program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. This program enables us to monitor the eruptive pattern of the permanent teeth. Sometimes, poor eruption patterns of permanent teeth may be eliminated with early removal of baby teeth, which may reduce the treatment time required for braces.
We will notify your general dentist of any recommendations made during your visit. We normally see the patients on recall every 9-12 months to observe their progress as they grow. Our doctors determine the optimum time to begin treatment and achieve the best possible result for your child, with no fee required. These appointments are complimentary, and sometimes, Kids’ Club patients graduate with no orthodontic treatment ever being required!
If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as an adolescent?
Early treatment can begin the correction of significant problems, prevent more severe problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. Because all of the permanent teeth have not yet erupted when early treatment is performed, their final alignment may not have been corrected.
Typically, a shortened comprehensive phase of treatment (Phase II – full braces or Invisalign) in the teen years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted, completes the correction. However, in rare circumstances, further orthodontic treatment may not be indicated. We will certainly not recommend Phase Two treatment if it is not indicated!
