Early/Phase 1 Orthodontics
According to The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), it is advisable to schedule an orthodontist appointment for kids as they turn 7 years old. This is because Dr. Singh can evaluate their dental development and jaw growth at this stage. Some children may benefit from Phase 1/Early intervention treatment, which aims to correct Orthodontic issues before they worsen over time. The type of Phase 1 treatment depends on the individual needs of each child; some may need conventional metal braces, while others may need more specific Orthodontic devices like a Palatal expander. By taking action early, Orthodontists can avoid serious dental problems like impacted teeth that may necessitate extractions of permanent teeth, and help children achieve healthier and more aligned smiles in the future. To find out if your child needs Phase 1 Treatment please contact Music City Orthodontics.
Common Phase 1 Appliances
Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE)
A rapid palatal expander is a device that helps widen your upper jaw. It has a metal frame that fits snugly on the roof of your mouth. The frame has a screw in the middle, which you can turn with a special key.
Dr. Singh will put the device in your mouth and show you how to turn the screw a little bit each day, usually once or twice. This makes the palatal bones move apart slowly. The device uses the natural flexibility of the bones in your palate, so they can grow and make more room for your teeth.
When the palatal bones move apart, you may feel some pressure or tightness in your mouth, but that is normal and expected. It usually does not hurt, and any discomfort should go away quickly. Dr. Singh will check your progress regularly and when your upper jaw is wide enough, the device will stay in your mouth for a few more months to keep the new width stable. You may also need to wear some braces on your upper teeth for a short time to fix your bite.
Facemask
A facemask is an orthodontic device that helps correct some problems with your bite and jaw alignment. It looks like a headgear that connects to a brace or an expander in your mouth and has an external support structure.
The facemask works by gently pulling your upper jaw forward and downward. This helps your upper jaw grow and move into a better position, especially if it is too small or too far back. This can fix an underbite, which is when your lower teeth stick out more than your upper teeth.
To get the best results from the facemask, you need to wear it as often as Dr. Singh tells you to. He will also check and adjust the facemask regularly to make sure it is applying the right amount of pressure. At first, you might feel some pressure on your forehead, cheeks, and upper jaw when you wear the facemask. This is normal and will go away as you get used to the device.
Schwarz Expander
A Schwarz expander helps to make more room for your teeth by widening your upper or lower jaw. It is a removable device that you take off to eat and brush your teeth. It has a metal screw in the middle that you turn with a special key to make the device bigger. As the device gets bigger, it puts pressure on your teeth and jaw and makes them grow wider.
This can help to fix problems like crowding, narrow jaw, or underbite. A Schwarz expander can also help your tongue to fit better in your mouth and improve your breathing. It is usually used for children, but some adults may benefit from it too.