Orthodontics for Children

At Thornhill Family Orthodontics we offer orthodontic services for children as young as 7 years old in the Thornhill area. Our orthodontist develops customized treatment plans for your child to help support a lifetime of oral health.

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What is Early Intervention?

With early intervention, we can offer orthodontic treatment for children as young as 7 who may have bite issues, crowded teeth or other problems. 

This is also sometimes referred to as 'Phase I treatment'. Because your child's jaw structure and teeth are still developing at this age, certain orthodontic problems are often easier to address. 

Our orthodontic team at Thornhill Family Orthodontics is capable of developing a customized treatment plan if required, mapping out both Phases I and II of your kid's treatment. By taking these steps early, we improve your child's chance at being able to preserve their oral health.

Why is Early Intervention Important?

If untreated, orthodontic issues can easily become serious and lead to more oral health problems as children mature. By intervening with orthodontic treatments, our Thornhill orthodontist can offer less invasive treatment and prevent problems from becoming more pronounced in the future

• Why should early treatment be a high priority?

  Young children's skeletal structures are malleable as they continue to develop and grow. This makes it possible to change the trajectory of jaw development, potentially helping to prevent the need for surgery as your child develops. 

• Can less invasive treatments make a positive impact?

  Dental decay, mouth breathing and thumb-sucking can cause significant orthodontic problems later in life. With Phase I and Phase II treatment, we can often treat these issues early to prevent them from worsening. 

  By addressing other common problems such as teeth crowding, we can often help eliminate the need for tooth extractions and other invasive procedures as your child grows and jaw structure becomes less malleable. 

• What does a treatment plan involve and how long will it last?

  Treatment can begin when your child still has baby teeth. During the first phase of treatment (which typically lasts up to 9 months), your child will wear a retainer until his or her permanent adult teeth emerge. 

  After their permanent teeth have erupted, we can identify whether Phase II Treatment is needed. 

  The majority of children will need a second phase of treatment. However, this phase is often shorter and less invasive if progress is made during early Phase I treatment. That's why early visits are vital to your child's success!