Dr. Monica Crooks recommends that you take your child to the dentist bi-annually for routine checkups and cleanings starting at age 3. During each visit, she will evaluate their oral health, and as they grow, recommend orthodontics as early as necessary. The sooner your child is assessed, and their orthodontic needs diagnosed, the lower their chances of requiring invasive procedures later in life.

Dr. Crooks Sacramento and her team of dentists will put a plan in place using Phase 1 Orthodontics to help your child’s teeth stay aligned as he or she grows and develops. Phase 1 Orthodontics is typically introduced between the ages of 5 and 8. To learn more, call us at (916) 922-2027 or request appointment today!

Orthodontic treatment often includes two stages. Phase 1 occurs before all of your child’s adult teeth have come in. It involves appliances that treat bite problems and dental crowding. Children who complete Phase 1 Orthodontics see much quicker and less painful results if it is necessary for them to graduate to Phase 2.

During Phase 2, braces are introduced, and this does not begin until all adult teeth are present. During Phase 2, the adult teeth are positioned to provide your child with a beautiful, functional, and lasting simile. Your child must wear their retainer nightly for orthodontic results to last a lifetime.

Dr. Monica Crooks evaluates your child’s bite and tooth eruption pattern. In Phase 1, she or her specialist makes custom appliances that guide the erupting adult teeth into the proper position. During Phase 2, she places brackets and a connective wire on your child’s teeth to create constant, light, and even pressure that helps them move into the proper position. At each appointment, the wire is adjusted to guide the teeth into place.

Traditional orthodontics can take up to five years to complete depending on the complexity of the conditions that need to be corrected. For adults, when the goal is primarily esthetics and not creating an ideal bite, many alignment issues can be fixed with accelerated braces in 6 to 9 months for a fraction of the cost. If you or your child are living with crooked teeth and an uneven bite, call Dr. Monica Crooks at (916) 922-2027 to schedule a consultation appointment today!

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