Orthodontics / Braces
Dr. Bill Taylor is in the business of beautiful smiles. He uses orthodontics to address a number of oral health problems, including crooked teeth, bite problems, thumb-sucking, teeth-grinding and TMJ—all without extracting permanent teeth. Dr. Taylor specializes in treating the growing child and has had extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic and jaw growth problems.
Early Orthodontics
Occasionally, through genetics or early dental habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing, a child's facial and dental growth becomes disrupted. Pediatric dentists are specialists in the area of growth and development of the face and teeth and are ideally suited to intervene in these situations. In many cases, orthodontic care as the face, jaw and teeth are developing can eliminate the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later.
If braces are required, the process typically involves the following phases:
Phase 1
The early phase (Phase 1) begins around age 8 or 9. This phase involves straightening the front permanent teeth and creating space for the remaining permanent teeth that erupt at age 12. This reduces the future probability of extracting permanent teeth. In addition, if there is a jaw-growth problem, or bite problem such as overbite or underbite, correction is also done during Phase 1.
Phase 2
A second phase of braces is needed around age 12. In most cases, Phase 2 involves straightening the rest of the permanent teeth and perfecting the occlusion (bite). Because of early intervention in Phase 1, Phase 2 treatment time is greatly reduced. Most children have their braces off before entering high school.
For more information on orthodontics, click here to read the Kids Frequently Asked Questions on Braces.