The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Dr. Nourian's early interceptive treatment catches bite and spacing problems before they worsen, guiding jaw development for a lifetime of healthy alignment.
PHASE 1 INTERCEPTIVE TREATMENT
Children's orthodontics — also called Phase 1 or interceptive orthodontic treatment — focuses on catching and correcting issues with jaw development, bite alignment, and tooth spacing during the ages of 7 to 10, while the jaw is still growing and highly responsive to gentle guidance.
At Trusted Dental & Orthodontics, Dr. Nourian evaluates every child's orthodontic development at their regular dental visits. If early intervention is recommended, it can dramatically reduce the complexity and cost of future Phase 2 treatment — often eliminating the need for extractions or jaw surgery altogether.
PHASE 1 TREATMENTS
Targeted early interventions that correct developing problems and set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, straight smiles.
Comprehensive age-7 evaluation including digital X-rays to assess jaw development, bite alignment, and eruption patterns of permanent teeth.
Custom palatal expanders gently widen a narrow upper jaw to create proper space for adult teeth and prevent severe crowding without extractions.
When a baby tooth is lost early, space maintainers hold the gap open so permanent teeth erupt in proper position without crowding.
Appliances designed to correct harmful oral habits like thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting that can distort jaw shape and tooth position during development.
Early crossbite treatment prevents uneven jaw growth, facial asymmetry, and abnormal tooth wear — conditions that become much harder to treat in adulthood.
Regular check-ups throughout childhood let Dr. Nourian track jaw and tooth development, intervening at precisely the right moment for maximum benefit.
THE EARLY ADVANTAGE
The jaw is most malleable and responsive to orthodontic guidance between the ages of 7 and 10 — making this the optimal window to correct developing issues. Waiting until all adult teeth have erupted means missing this window of opportunity and potentially requiring much more invasive treatment, including extractions or even jaw surgery.
Not every child will need Phase 1 treatment — Dr. Nourian will be completely honest about whether intervention is truly necessary or whether watchful waiting is the right approach for your child. When Phase 1 treatment is indicated, it typically makes Phase 2 braces shorter, simpler, and less costly.
WHY CHOOSE US
Dr. Nourian's expertise in child jaw development ensures precise, timely interventions that set your child up for a lifetime of healthy alignment.
Dr. Nourian's specialized training in developmental orthodontics ensures your child receives precisely the right intervention at the right developmental moment.
We make orthodontic visits fun and comfortable for kids, taking time to explain every appliance in a way children understand and accept.
We only recommend early treatment when it's truly beneficial. If watchful waiting is the right approach, we'll tell you — no unnecessary treatment.
All dental and orthodontic care coordinated at one Hawthorne location. No separate offices, no communication gaps between providers.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions Hawthorne parents ask about early orthodontic treatment.
Not necessarily. Age 7 is the recommended age for a first orthodontic evaluation — not necessarily treatment. Dr. Nourian will assess your child's development honestly. Many children are told simply to continue monitoring and return for reassessment. Treatment is only recommended when it provides a genuine benefit that outweighs waiting.
A palate expander is a custom orthodontic appliance that fits in the roof of the mouth and gently widens the upper jaw over several months. It takes advantage of the natural growth suture in the middle of the palate that's still open in children — making jaw widening easy, painless, and highly effective during this developmental window.
Don't wait until problems are harder to fix. Book a complimentary orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Nourian today — no obligation, just expert guidance.