Dunn Orthodontics is Phoenix, Arizona's premier orthodontist/dentist providing one phase, two phase and early treatment to Phoenix, AZ using expanders and T-rex when necessary.
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Dr. Matthew Dunn - Phoenix orthodontist (Matthew Dunn, DDS, MS)
Dr. Courtney Dunn – Phoenix orthodontist (Courtney Dunn, DDS, MS)
Website created by Matthew Dunn, DDS, MS (orthodontist in Phoenix, AZ) and Courtney Dunn, DDS, MS (orthodontist in Phoenix, Arizona) for Dunn Orthodontics providing one phase, two phase and early treatment to Phoenix, Arizona.
Contact: info@phoenix-orthodontics.com
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Protect your child’s smile for the future.
As parents of three children, Drs. Courtney and Matthew Dunn understand how important your children are to you. That’s why they recommend you to bring them in for an early orthodontic exam at approximately age seven, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. Bite problems may be there at this age which left uncorrected can 
be complicated to correct at a later age or even cause permanent damage to the permanent teeth. Even one crooked tooth can throw off the bite, hinder proper cleaning and lead to functional problems as your child becomes older, including gum disease, cavities and speech disorders.
If your child does not need early treatment at the time of the initial examination, you should not feel that you've made a needless 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 supervise growth and development of the jaws, teeth and face. The growth and guidance program will allow us to evaluate your child on a regular basis, making certain that we commence your child's treatment at the correct time. The office visits for the growth and guidance program are complimentary.
There are a handful orthodontic conditions that do require early intervention. These are mostly associated with jaw or bite issues, or self-esteem problems. Crossbites that make the lower jaw shift, and severe overbites or underbites should be treated early. 
Early loss of primary (baby) teeth, or excessive crowding which can lead to damage to gum tissue, are examples of spacing issues that may necessitate early treatment. Early, or Phase I treatment, typically lasts 9-12 months. The patient then goes into 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 places.
Given our conservative approach, most children (about 85-90%) do not need 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 point in a child's development, bone growth happens more rapidly, increasing treatment effectiveness and yielding more stable results. Waiting means less time in braces, fewer office visits, and less complications. Additionally, comprehension and cooperation are better when children are more mature. From a financial perspective, completing orthodontic treatment in one comprehensive phase in middle school is less expensive than a two-phase treatment plan.
This means less time in braces. Starting orthodontics early does not mean that the braces will come off earlier or faster; to the contrary, it often produces a longer time in braces. Orthodontic treatment initiated 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 identical jaws, bite, face or teeth. You can trust Dunn Orthodontics to work with you, your child, and your family dentist to make certain 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 location near you and schedule your child’s orthodontic exam and consultation today!
Phoenix Office
7550 N. 19th Ave #101
Phoenix, AZ 85021
TEL: 602.864.0004
FAX: 602.864.0070
Litchfield Park Office
5220 N. Dysart Rd #150
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
TEL: 623.536.4939
FAX: 623.536.4877
