Most parents don’t think about orthodontics until their child’s dentist mentions a referral, or until crowding becomes visible enough to notice. By that point, some issues that could have been addressed early are already more complex than they needed to be.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this stage, a mix of baby and adult teeth are present, giving Dr. Larson a clear picture of how your child’s bite, jaw, and spacing are developing before problems become harder to treat.
Early evaluation does not always mean early treatment.
At Larson Family Orthodontics, we take a conservative approach, we only recommend Phase 1 treatment when it is genuinely necessary and will make a meaningful difference for your child. If your child does not need treatment yet, we will tell you that clearly and let you know what to watch for going forward.
Most children who come in for an early evaluation do not need immediate treatment. That is actually good news, it means we can monitor their development and step in only when intervention will make a real difference.
There are specific situations where early treatment is genuinely beneficial and worth addressing before comprehensive braces:
For everything else, waiting until your child is ready for comprehensive treatment is usually the right call, and we will always tell you honestly which category your child falls into.
At Larson Family Orthodontics, we explain clearly what is clinically necessary versus what is elective. That transparency is something we take seriously, because it is what we would want for our own families.
Phase 1 Early Orthodontics, also sometimes referred to as interceptive orthodontics, typically occurs between ages six to nine when children have entered the mixed dentition phase. This simply means that they’ve begun losing their baby teeth and their adult ones are well on their way!
It’s generally considered the ideal time to begin detecting and addressing disturbances having to do with jaw growth or dental development since things are already moving and shifting around.
Phase 1 treatment typically takes place between ages 6 and 9, a window when children still have a mix of baby and adult teeth. This is when the jaw is most responsive to guidance, making it the most effective time to address concerns with jaw growth, bite development, or spacing before permanent teeth fully emerge.
A Phase 1 treatment plan at Larson begins with a thorough digital evaluation. Dr. Larson will review your child’s records, explain exactly what he is seeing, and walk you through what treatment involves and what it is designed to achieve.
Phase 1 treatment typically lasts 9 to 12 months, though timelines vary by case. Depending on your child’s needs.
After Phase 1 is complete, we monitor your child’s development through a resting period before determining whether Phase 2 treatment is needed. Not every child who completes Phase 1 requires Phase 2 and we will always give you an honest assessment of where things stand.
When early treatment is the right recommendation, the benefits are meaningful — not just for your child’s teeth, but for the overall treatment experience down the road.
What early treatment can accomplish:
Waiting is often the right call when:
The goal is never to treat for the sake of treating. Dr. Larson will give you a clear, direct recommendation based on what he sees, and explain exactly why early treatment is or is not the right choice for your child at this stage.
Wonderful ortho! We decided to go with Dr. Larson for our son’s braces and couldn’t be happier…
I stopped in without an appointment because I was having an unexpected issue with my retainer.
Our first born is ready for braces so naturally, we made several ortho appointments in order to find a good fit.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. At this stage, Dr. Larson can assess how your child’s bite, jaw, and spacing are developing, even if treatment is not needed yet. Early evaluation gives us a clear picture of what to monitor and when to act.
Phase 1 is an early, targeted phase of orthodontic treatment that typically takes place between ages 6 and 9. It addresses specific concerns, like crossbites, crowding, or jaw development issues, that are better treated while the jaw is still growing. Not every child needs Phase 1, and we only recommend it when it will make a meaningful difference.
Phase 1 is early, targeted treatment during the mixed dentition stage, typically ages 6 to 9. Phase 2 is comprehensive treatment, usually with braces or clear aligners, that addresses full alignment once most permanent teeth have emerged. Not every child who goes through Phase 1 will need Phase 2, and we will keep you informed throughout.
Treatment cost depends on the complexity of your child’s case and the length of treatment recommended. We offer in-house financing with no interest and accept most PPO insurance plans. We will walk you through all options clearly during your complimentary consultation with no pressure to decide on the spot.
Yes. Your child’s first consultation at Larson Family Orthodontics is complimentary. There is no obligation and no pressure, just an honest conversation about where your child’s development stands and what, if anything, we recommend
Your first consultation at Larson Family Orthodontics is complimentary. No obligation, no pressure, just an honest conversation about what’s best for your family.
We’ll review your records, walk you through your options clearly, and make sure you leave with real answers.
