Phase I Orthodontics

In general, children should be evaluated by age seven. At this age, the vast majority of problems can be addressed when necessary. Many of the problems presenting themselves at this age are orthopedic. What this simply means is that the upper and/or lower jaws are not growing properly. These abnormalities can and should be corrected early in childhood.

Phase I orthopedics can be compared to a child who is born with a foot turned inward significantly. You would NOT wait until twelve or thirteen years of age to attempt correction. Likewise, certain jaw growth problems can best be treated before the typical orthodontic adolescent age.

Our 3-D scan machine can also uncover other significant problems such as:

1.) Reduced or small airway and its possible causes.

• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Narrow upper arch
• Narrow lower arch
• Posterior tongue placement
• Lack of forward lower jaw growth
• Deviated septums
• Etc.

2.) Boney facial asymmetrics which may be masked by facial soft tissue.

3.) Early degenerative changes in the jaw joints. For more than 35 years, Dr. Roncone has seen this phenomenon in almost 30% of his patients between the ages of 10 and 15 years of age. This must be addressed early. However, without routine 3-D scans orthodontists would never know the problem exists and therefore could not properly advise parents.

This first half of orthodontic treatment is about 75-80% orthopedic and 20-25% orthodontics (tooth straightening).

Please call our office for a consultation: (760) 758-0630