Dunn Orthodontics is Goodyear, Arizona's premier orthodontist/dentist providing braces, clear braces and Invisalign (Invisible braces) to Goodyear, AZ.
Copyright© 2007, 2009. All rights reserved dunn-orthodontics.com (Goodyear, AZ)
Dr. Matthew Dunn - Goodyear orthodontist (Matthew Dunn, DDS, MS)
Dr. Courtney Dunn - Goodyear orthodontics (Courtney Dunn, DDS, MS)
Website created by Matthew Dunn, DDS, MS (Goodyear orthodontist) and Courtney Dunn, DDS, MS (Goodyear braces) for Dunn Orthodontics providing braces, clear braces, Invisalign (invisible braces) to Phoenix’s West Valley including Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Surprise, Buckeye, Verrado, Estrella Mountain Ranch, Glendale, and Tolleson.
Contact: dunn-orthodontics@hotmail.com
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Protect your child’s smile for the future.
As parents of three children, Drs. Matthew and Courtney Dunn understand how important your children are to you. That’s why they encourage you to bring them in for an early orthodontic exam at approximately age 7, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. Bite problems may be present at this age which, left unattended, can 
be difficult to correct at a later age or even cause irreparable damage to the permanent teeth. Even one crooked tooth can throw off the bite, hinder proper cleaning and cause functional problems as your child grows older, including gum disease, cavities and speech disorders.
If your child does not require early treatment at the time of the initial consultation, you should not feel that you've made an unnecessary appointment. Children who do not require treatment at the time of their initial exam are placed into a growth and guidance program. These patients will be seen at least once each year to monitor growth and development of the face, jaws, and teeth. The growth and guidance program will allow us to evaluate your child on a regular basis, ensuring that we initiate your child's treatment at the right time. The office visits for the growth and guidance program are complimentary.
There are a few orthodontic conditions that do require early intervention. These are mostly related to jaw or bite problems, or self-esteem issues. Crossbites that cause the lower jaw to shift, and severe overbites or underbites should be treated early. 
Early loss of primary (baby) teeth, or excessive crowding which can cause damage to gum tissue, are examples of spacing problems that may warrant early treatment. Early, or Phase I treatment, usually lasts 9-12 months. The patient then enters the growth and guidance program until ready for a second phase of treatment, once all of the new permanent teeth have erupted. Ninety-five percent of those who have Phase I treatment at 8-10 years old will require a second phase of treatment at 11-14 years old to guide the new permanent teeth into their final positions.
Given our conservative approach, most children (about 85-90%) do not require early or two phases of treatment. For these patients, there are many advantages to waiting until most of the permanent teeth have erupted (usually between ages 11 and 14). At this stage in a child's development, bone growth occurs more rapidly, increasing treatment effectiveness and yielding more stable results. Waiting means less time in braces, fewer office visits, and fewer complications. Additionally, understanding and cooperation are better when children are more mature. From a financial standpoint, completing treatment in one comprehensive phase in middle school is less costly than a two-phase treatment plan.
Starting treatment at the optimal time allows us to treat all of the permanent teeth at the same time, without wasting time waiting for permanent teeth to erupt. 
This means less time in braces. Starting early does not mean that the braces will come off earlier or faster, to the contrary, it often results in a longer time in braces. Orthodontic treatment begun at the appropriate time usually results in braces being on for 18 to 24 months, instead of for 3 to 4 years or more.
As you can see, deciding on the right time for orthodontic treatment is determined on a patient-by-patient basis. We are all unique, and no two patients have the same face, jaws, teeth, or bite. You can depend on Dunn Orthodontics to work with you, your child, and your family dentist to ensure that the right treatment is rendered at the best time for your child. The result will be a naturally beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.
Call the Dunn Orthodontics office near you and schedule your child’s orthodontic exam and consultation today!
Litchfield Park Office
5220 N. Dysart Rd #150
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
TEL: 623.536.4939
FAX: 623.536.4877
Phoenix Office
7550 N. 19th Ave #101
Phoenix, AZ 85021
TEL: 602.864.0004
FAX: 602.864.0070
