Phase 1 - Interceptive and Proactive Treatment for Young Children in Vista

At brackets wires and smiles we take a proactive approach to early orthodontic treatment- Our sweet spot is 7-9 year olds. This early proactive approach can help with jaw growth issues, might be able to prevent more severe problems down the line, and help create a healthier tongue space and more room for their adult teeth down the road. This is a limited treatment to help with some of the issues that a growing child may face. Generally the treatment will last 8-12 months, sometimes less depending on the case. Remember that they may still need final correction in phase 2, once they have all their adult teeth erupted. By resolving some of the issues early, we may potentially reduce the need for more extensive treatment in phase 2 or surgery later on. Our approach and goal should help guide the adult teeth into place and to prioritize open airways, making room for the tongue to have healthy space to function.

Here are some common symptoms that we have noticed in our patients that choose phase 1 treatment approaches.

  • Mouth breathing
  • Snoring and noisy breathing during sleep
  • Frequent waking or restless sleep
  • Bedwetting beyond an appropriate age
  • Dark circles under eyes
  • Trouble focusing or hyperactivity during the day
  • Feeling tired all the time

Some of the following treatments may Address Airway issues in Children

Removal of Tonsils and or Adenoid tissue - Evaluation by an Ear Nose and Throat doctor.

Making Room for your choppers and tongue: Widening the upper jaw improves nasal breathing, more oxygen is absorbed, air is more filtered and moisturized, and it creates more room for teeth. This can be done either with braces, invisalign or by an expander. Narrow V shaped jaw makes it harder to breathe through the nose with a tight lip seal and the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth. The crossbite or small top or lower jaw will have a similar effect. It is ideal to correct underbite (bulldog look) earlier as the jaw is still “softer” and easier to make adjustments with.

Functional appliance - Use of functional appliance specialist and a speech therapist to further address tongue issues.

In our office the following are the ages that we evaluate orthodontics for our younger patients.

Phase 1 treatment is usually between the ages of 7-9 years old with braces, Invisalign, and expander.

Phase 2 treatment is usually during the teen years. Braces, and Invisalign.

Why a proper airway is important in airway orthodontics.

Typically, when you fall asleep, you are relaxed, and when your head is on your pillow, your tongue tends to fall back into your throat. Picture your head lying flat, tongue in the back of the throat, a smaller airway and the child may have large tonsils, and or adenoid tissues - this is going to make it difficult for them to breath. This can cause jaw growth problems, not enough room for the tongue, tongue sticks out from the front of your teeth or resting on the front part of your jaw. This may have a cascade effect on your child’s sleep, breathing, and possibly getting sick more often with common colds etc.

Proper breathing in aligned with proper position of your tongue will help EXPAND your jaw- since as you swallow and with a tight lip seal your tongue will push itself on the roof of the mouth hence expand your little one’s jaw over time. If this is missing the above symptoms may appear during their growth stage. Airway breathing, and proper tongue position can help.

We are all aware of breathing through our nose- as in the above example - your child will breathe better when breathing through their nose.

  • Warmer air into their lungs.
  • Better filtration of the air through the nose.
  • Better and deeper breathing habit.
  • Increase in the level of oxygen in your lungs.
  • Better facial features.


Parents are also very happy with the service and results:

Read Melissa H.'s review of Brackets Wires and Smiles Orthodontics on Yelp

Instead by breathing through their mouth, which may lead to the following effects.

  • Colder air in the lungs
  • Chapped lips as well as red gums (inflamed).
  • Shallow short breaths.
  • Tongue is not in its proper position. It is sitting out or to the side of the teeth.

Some other side effects we have seen in some of our patients, who are mouth breathers are the following.

  • Tired all the time.
  • Not paying attention in class.
  • Poor sleep cycle at night.
  • Poor performance at school
  • Inflamed red puffy gums.

See what some of our younger patients have to say about their experience with Dr. Ahmad and Brackets Wires & Smiles:



Timing for this type of proactive treatment is important, our ideal patient falls into ages 7 to 9 years old. We do not force treatment on anyone but if this can help we are here to listen.

Type of early airway orthodontic treatment for jaw bone improvements are the following -

  • Evaluation by Dr.Ahmad
  • Make more room in your child’s mouth by using braces, invisalign and expander. As a parent You may have had this done to you when you were a child.
  • Why we like to do this earlier than later, is that your child’s jaw starts to harden around the age of 12- hence the goal is to start early with ample time and correction to ensure the bone has fully materialized in the space created by expansion in your child’s mouth.

Whitening

You only get one smile, and we believe you should love yours. A beautiful, bright smile can boost your confidence, and that’s what you deserve.

At brackets wires and smiles, we not only straighten your teeth — but we can also brighten your smile with our whitening treatment.