Early Orthodontic Treatment in Carlsbad, CA

Early orthodontic treatment — also known as Phase I treatment — typically starts between the ages of 7 and 10, while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth. The goal of early treatment isn’t always to straighten teeth right away, but to guide proper jaw growth, correct bite issues, and make room for permanent teeth coming in.

At Full Smile Orthodontics, we believe in providing the most efficient and effective treatment possible, which means we don’t recommend two phases of orthodontic care unless it’s truly necessary. Whenever we can, we aim to treat patients in just one comprehensive phase during the teen years.

That said, in certain cases, early treatment can make a big difference — especially when we see:

• Crowding or spacing problems
• Jaw growth concerns
• Crossbites, underbites, or overbites
• Habits like thumb sucking
• Early loss of baby teeth

In these situations, Phase I treatment can help reduce the severity of future issues, shorten treatment time later on, or even prevent the need for more complex procedures in the future. After Phase I, most kids enter a resting period while their remaining adult teeth come in, followed by a possible Phase II to fine-tune alignment and bite.

Not sure if your child needs early treatment? We offer complimentary consultations, and we’re always happy to give honest guidance based on your child’s unique growth and development. Our priority is to create healthy, confident smiles — without over-treating.

Please reach out to our dental practice in Carlsbad, CA, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Daniel Adams at Full Smile Orthodontics. Please call us at (760) 804-0080 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.