Pure Orthodontics / FAQ
Phase 1 treatment starts while a child still has some baby teeth, typically between ages 7 and 10. It targets specific jaw or bite problems, like significant crowding, a crossbite, or protruding front teeth, while the jaw is still growing and easier to guide into place.
No, most kids don't. Phase 1 is really only recommended for specific situations, like noticeable crowding, a crossbite, effects from thumb-sucking, or a jaw growth imbalance. An evaluation around age 7 is how you find out whether your child actually needs it or can simply wait for full treatment later on.
It's commonly used for crossbites, underbites, severe crowding, protruding teeth that are at higher risk of injury, effects from thumb-sucking, and jaw growth that's developing unevenly. Catching these early can guide the jaw's growth in the right direction, make room for adult teeth, and sometimes simplify whatever treatment comes later.
Phase 1 usually runs 9 to 18 months, followed by a resting period while the rest of the adult teeth come in on their own. Many kids do go on to need Phase 2, which is typically full braces once all the adult teeth have erupted, but it tends to be shorter and more straightforward after early intervention has already done some of the work.
Keep an eye out for baby teeth falling out unusually early or late, trouble chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb or finger sucking past age 5, a jaw that shifts or clicks, protruding teeth, or teeth that look noticeably crowded or crooked. Any of these are worth bringing up to an orthodontist, even before your child turns 7.
It depends on the plan. Some insurance covers Phase 1 under general orthodontic benefits, while others only kick in once comprehensive treatment starts later on. Pure Orthodontics checks your coverage for you before you commit to anything, so there aren't any surprises.
The most common ones are palatal expanders, which gradually widen a narrow upper jaw, space maintainers that hold room for teeth still coming in, partial braces, and appliances designed to help break a thumb-sucking habit. Which one your child needs comes down to what's actually causing the issue, not just what it looks like on the surface.
Skipping it when it's genuinely recommended can let certain problems, like severe crowding or a jaw imbalance, get worse as your child keeps growing. That often means longer or more complex treatment later, and in some cases, jaw surgery down the line as an adult. Not every child needs Phase 1, but for the ones who do, timing really does matter.
