What Saskatoon parents need to know about orthodontic dental care for kids

As parents, we always want to make the best choices for our kids—especially when it comes to their health. But when it comes to orthodontics, many parents wonder: “Does my child really need braces this early?” or “What happens if we wait?”. The goal of Phase One is to make later treatment easier, shorter, and sometimes even avoidable. This blog covers everything you should know about Phase One orthodontics for your child. 

What is Phase One orthodontics?

Phase One Orthodontics (also called early interceptive treatment) is a type of orthodontic care for young kids, usually between ages 6 and 10. At this stage, children still have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and their jaws are still growing. The goal of Phase One is to fix developing issues early so they don’t become bigger (and more complicated) problems later on.

5 reasons your dentist might recommend Phase One orthodontic treatment

Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment, but dentists may recommend an orthodontic assessment if they notice:

• Severe crowding – Not enough space for adult teeth to come in properly‍
• Crossbites or underbites – When the top and bottom teeth don’t align correctly‍
• Protruding front teeth – A concern for injury risk‍
• Thumb-sucking habits – That are affecting jaw growth‍
• Early loss of baby teeth – To prevent permanent teeth from shifting into the wrong spots

Ask your dentist which Phase One treatment is best for your child

Phase One isn’t always about full braces. It could include:

• Expanders to widen the upper jaw for better alignment‍
• Invisalign First are clear aligners designed specifically for younger kids to gently guide developing teeth into the right position. This nearly invisible option is comfortable, removable, and can make early treatment easier.‍
• Partial braces to guide the growth of certain teeth‍
• Space maintainers to hold space for adult teeth‍
• Habit appliances to help stop thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting

After Phase One, there’s usually a resting period while the remaining adult teeth come in naturally. Then, Phase Two (which may include full braces or Invisalign Teen) happens in the teen years to fine-tune the permanent smile.

Why you don’t want to skip Phase One if your child needs it

If your child doesn’t get early orthodontic treatment when needed, they may still need braces or invisible aligners later—but it could be a longer, more complicated process. Here’s what could happen:

• More crowding – adult teeth might not have enough space, leading to extractions later‍
• Worsening bite issues – crossbites, overbites, or underbites can become harder to fix‍
• Longer treatment in Phase Two – braces or aligners may take longer or cost more‍
• Increased risk of tooth damage – protruding teeth can be more prone to chipping‍
• Speech or chewing problems – severe misalignment can make eating and speaking harder‍
• Self-esteem concerns – older kids and teens might feel self-conscious about their teeth

It’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment

If your child is already past the Phase One window, don’t panic. Orthodontic treatment can still work for teens and even adults—it just might take more time or require different solutions. The best step is to visit an orthodontist for an evaluation to see if early treatment is necessary.

The dentist at BLOK Dental Studio can answer all your questions about Phase One orthodontics

Pediatric dentistry is all about prevention and setting your child up for a lifetime of good oral health. With regular dental exams, your dentist can keep a close eye on how your child’s teeth and jaw are developing. By the age of 6, it will start to become apparent to your dentist whether you might want to consider orthodontics for your child. Our pediatric dental team is here for you and your little ones, Saskatoon!