Early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase 1 or interceptive orthodontics, addresses developing bite and jaw problems while a child still has some baby teeth in place. It's not the right path for every child, but for the right case, treating an issue early can prevent it from becoming more complicated, and more expensive, to correct later.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if nothing looks obviously wrong. At that age, we can usually tell whether a child's bite and jaw growth are on track, or whether early intervention would make a meaningful difference down the road. Most kids evaluated at 7 don't need treatment yet. Some do, and catching it at the right window matters.
Keep reading to learn what early orthodontic treatment involves, how to know if your child might need it, and what treatment looks like at our Brentwood office.
Most children don't need early treatment. But for a smaller group of kids, specific issues are easier and more effective to address while the jaw is still growing than after growth has finished. This is the core idea behind interceptive orthodontics: intervening while there's still growth to work with.
Signs that may indicate your child could benefit from an early evaluation include:
If you notice any of these, or simply aren't sure, an evaluation is the only way to know for certain. It's a low-pressure appointment. We'll tell you plainly if your child is a candidate for Phase 1 treatment now, or if it's best to simply keep an eye on things and revisit in six to twelve months.
It's worth being upfront about what Phase 1 treatment actually accomplishes, because expectations matter here. Early treatment is not about achieving a perfectly straight smile at age 8. That's what Phase 2, full braces or clear aligners once the permanent teeth are in, is for.
Instead, early orthodontic treatment focuses on:
In many cases, early treatment reduces the extent of orthodontic work needed later, and can lower the likelihood of needing extractions or jaw surgery as an adult. We'll be direct with you at the consultation about whether early treatment would meaningfully change your child's outcome, or whether waiting for Phase 2 alone would achieve the same result at lower overall cost.
Every early treatment plan starts with a full evaluation, including a look at how your child's teeth, jaw, and bite are developing, and sometimes imaging to see how permanent teeth are positioned beneath the gumline.
If treatment is recommended, the specific appliance depends on what we're correcting. Options can include:
Phase 1 treatment generally lasts nine to eighteen months, followed by a resting period where we simply monitor growth as permanent teeth come in. Most kids will need a second, more comprehensive phase of treatment later, usually full braces or clear aligners, once enough permanent teeth have erupted.
Since early treatment is only the first of up to two phases, it helps to see how Phase 1 and Phase 2 compare side by side.
Not every child needs both phases. Some only need monitoring at age 7 and go straight into a single, comprehensive phase of treatment once their permanent teeth are in. We'll map out the likely path for your child at the evaluation, rather than assuming every case needs two phases by default.
Because early treatment addresses a specific, targeted problem rather than a full smile alignment, it's typically less expensive than comprehensive treatment. At Starling Orthodontics, Phase 1 treatment generally ranges from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the appliance and length of treatment needed.
It's important to budget with the second phase in mind too. Since most children who complete Phase 1 go on to need Phase 2 (full braces or clear aligners) once their permanent teeth erupt, we'll walk you through the likely total investment across both phases at your consultation, not just the cost of the phase in front of you.
We accept most PPO insurance plans, and orthodontic benefits often apply to both phases of treatment. We also offer in-house payment plans and accept CareCredit® financing.
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, enough permanent teeth and jaw growth are visible for us to identify developing problems, even though most kids aren't ready for treatment yet.
Is early orthodontic treatment the same as Phase 1?
Yes. "Early orthodontic treatment," "Phase 1 treatment," and "interceptive orthodontics" all refer to the same concept: addressing a developing bite or jaw issue while a child still has some baby teeth.
Will my child still need braces later if they do Phase 1 now?
Usually, yes. Most children who complete Phase 1 treatment go on to need a second phase (typically braces or clear aligners) once their permanent teeth have fully erupted. Phase 1 is about managing growth and creating a better foundation, not finishing the job in one step.
What happens if my child doesn't need early treatment?
That's the most common outcome. If your child's evaluation doesn't show a developing issue that benefits from early intervention, we'll simply recommend monitoring, usually with a check-in every six to twelve months, until they're ready for a full evaluation as their permanent teeth come in.
Does early treatment hurt?
Most early treatment appliances cause mild, temporary discomfort as your child adjusts, similar to the soreness felt after a regular braces adjustment. It typically resolves within a few days.
How is this different from waiting for full braces?
Early treatment targets specific developing problems, like a narrow jaw or a harmful habit, while there's still growth to work with. Waiting until all permanent teeth erupt means treatment can only work with the teeth and jaw as they've already developed, which sometimes means a more involved (and more expensive) correction later, including a higher chance of needing extractions or jaw surgery in certain cases.
Parents throughout Brentwood, Nashville, and Williamson County trust Starling Orthodontics with their kids' first orthodontic evaluations because we don't recommend treatment your child doesn't need. A large share of the children we see at age 7 simply get monitored, not treated, and we think that honesty matters, especially when it's your child.
A few things parents consistently mention:
If your child is around age 7, or you've noticed any signs of a developing bite or jaw issue at any age, an evaluation is the best next step. We'll let you know honestly whether early treatment would help, or whether it's best to simply keep watching your child's growth.
Schedule a free evaluation today: call (615) 507-1660 or request an appointment online at starlingorthodontics.com. We serve families from Brentwood, Nashville, Franklin, Nolensville, and throughout Williamson County.
Please call (615) 507-1660 or click below to schedule your appointment online.
Please call (615) 507-1660 or click below to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation online.
