Our Early Objectives

1. Start Early! The earlier the child is treated...
1. The more cooperative the patient is during treatment
2. The easier it is to "jump start" them into harmonious growth
3. The more stable the result is after the braces are removed…and…
4. He or she benefits from enhanced self-esteem as a result of straight front teeth
   *** We find that at this age (7-9 yrs) the patient will easily accept treatment and will cooperate extremely well since he or she wants to please us and their parents.
2. Criteria for starting early
1. Crowding; crooked teeth
2. Open bites; upper and lower teeth don’t come together when patient is biting down
3. Crossbites/underbites; upper teeth on top of or behind lower teeth
4. Protruding teeth; “bucked” forward positioning
3. What do we recommend? When possible we use "Two Phase Treatment" During Phase 1;
1. We direct the growth of the jaws to make room for all the teeth using self-adjusting expanders (and rarely - an adjustable expander).
2. Braces are placed on the front teeth so that space for the permanent cuspids (eye teeth) can be made and crooked teeth can be straightened
3. After braces are removed, the patient goes to a Bionator part time until all the permanent teeth erupt.
4. What have we accomplished?
1. Eliminate any arch development from later Phase II treatment
2. Some tooth movements are achieved that helps the patient’s self esteem
3. Jaw-to-jaw discrepancies are reduced by using a Bionator between Phase I arid Phase II of treatment,