Early orthodontic care can set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles and improved breathing.
The Importance of Early Orthodontic Care
Early Interceptive Orthodontics represents a forward-thinking approach in orthodontic care, focusing on identifying and rectifying potential orthodontic and breathing issues during a child's developmental years. This proactive strategy helps mitigate the severity of dental conditions while significantly reducing the length and complexity of future treatments. Addressing these concerns lays the foundation for a healthier, more stable future, allowing children the opportunity to live life with a smile.
Our Unique Approach to Early Interceptive Orthodontics
Building a Functional Foundation
We begin with our Foundations Phase, a 3–4 month program focused on correcting the root causes of crowding and poor jaw development. This may include OraLase therapy, guided myofunctional therapy, and the use of a Myobrace appliance to promote healthy tongue posture, nasal breathing, and lip seal. If we detect airway issues, we’ll recommend additional support to clear the path for proper growth.
Growing the Bone
Once the foundation is set, we move into the Appliance Phase, where the focus shifts to jaw and facial development. Using growth appliances, we help create the space your child’s teeth need to come in naturally. At this stage, we’re not just aligning teeth—we’re building the bone structure needed for long-term oral health, proper airway development, and facial balance.
Phase Two (If Needed)
Early interceptive treatment is all about habits, breathing, and growth—not aesthetics. Once we’ve established a stable foundation and developed the bone, some children may still benefit from Phase Two treatment, such as Invisalign® or controlled arch braces. But not every child will need it. Our goal is to reduce or even eliminate the need for traditional braces down the road by addressing issues early and comprehensively.
Types of Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids
At O2dontics, we offer a comprehensive range of early orthodontic treatments tailored to support your child’s growth and development. Alongside gentle, age-appropriate orthodontic interventions, we use tools like Rhinometry to assess nasal airway function and help identify underlying breathing concerns. When needed, we also collaborate with trusted providers such as ENT specialists, naturopaths, myofunctional therapists, and others to ensure your child receives well-rounded, whole-body care. Our goal is to guide each child toward healthy oral development while supporting their overall wellness.
Functional Habit Correction
Functional Habit Correction
Functional Habit Correction
We begin by addressing the root causes of orthodontic issues—like poor tongue posture, mouth breathing, or incorrect swallowing patterns. Through therapies such as myofunctional training and guided breathing exercises, we help kids develop healthy habits that support facial growth and jaw stability.
Common tools: Myobrace® (used during our Foundations Phase), Myo Munchee
Airway-Focused Expansion
Airway-Focused Expansion
Airway-Focused Expansion
To promote proper growth of the upper and lower jaws, we use a variety of removable or fixed expanders that are carefully selected based on your child’s specific needs. These appliances guide bone development—not just teeth position—and support an open airway and better breathing. Early intervention can also minimize future tooth extractions or complex orthodontic procedures, fostering healthier mouth and jaw development.
SOT Chiropractic
SOT Chiropractic
SOT Chiropractic
At O2dontics, we integrate Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) Chiropractic as part of a whole-body approach to early orthodontic care. SOT uses gentle, precise adjustments to help balance the spine and cranial bones. This is especially important in growing children, where proper alignment can support optimal airway development, jaw growth, and facial symmetry. By relieving tension in the nervous system and improving how the body functions as a whole, SOT can help create a healthier foundation for orthodontic treatment. It is a safe and supportive way to guide your child’s development from the inside out.
Naturopathic & Functional Lifestyle Assessment
Naturopathic & Functional Lifestyle Assessment
Naturopathic & Functional Lifestyle Assessment
Healthy facial growth and airway development are influenced by more than just teeth and jaw position. Through a naturopathic and functional lifestyle assessment, we evaluate underlying factors that can affect a child’s breathing and development, including nasal inflammation, gut health, immune function, nutrition, and environmental exposures. Chronic mouth breathing, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, food sensitivities, and inflammatory diets can all contribute to airway obstruction and altered facial growth. By identifying and addressing these root contributors early, we can support proper nasal breathing, healthy jaw development, and optimal growth. This whole-child approach works alongside orthodontic and airway therapies to create more stable, long-term results.
Oralase
Oralase
Oralase
Oralase is a gentle light-based therapy we use at O2dontics to support healthy oral function, especially when working with young children in early interceptive orthodontics. This painless, laser-assisted treatment helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support healing in the soft tissues of the mouth. It is particularly helpful when addressing tongue or lip ties, or when combined with myofunctional therapy to improve tongue posture and support proper breathing. Oralase enhances comfort, accelerates healing, and helps us guide your child’s growth in a way that feels natural and non-invasive.
NaseLase
NaseLase
NaseLase
NaseLase is a non-invasive laser treatment designed to improve nasal breathing by addressing structural and inflammatory causes of nasal obstruction, including enlarged turbinates and nasal valve collapse. Using advanced Fotona laser technology, NaseLase gently stimulates tissue remodeling and tightening within the nasal passages, helping to reduce turbinate swelling and support the stability of the nasal valve area. By improving airflow through the nose, this treatment can make breathing easier both during the day and at night. NaseLase is a quick, comfortable procedure that can be performed in the office and may be used alone or as part of a comprehensive airway treatment plan to support healthy nasal function.
Myofunctional Therapy & Breathing Retraining
Myofunctional Therapy & Breathing Retraining
Myofunctional Therapy & Breathing Retraining
Healthy breathing and oral function are essential for proper growth, sleep, and overall wellness. Our myofunctional therapy and breathing program is designed to address mouth breathing, low tongue posture, improper swallowing patterns, and other habits that can impact the airway and facial development. Through personalized exercises, breathing retraining, and collaboration with our trusted network of myofunctional therapists, we help patients establish healthy nasal breathing and optimize function for lasting results. Myofunctional therapy is also an important part of preparing for and rehabilitating after tongue- and lip-tie releases, helping ensure the muscles are functioning properly and supporting optimal healing and long-term stability.
Myo Munchee®
Myo Munchee®
Myo Munchee®
The Myo Munchee® is a functional oral appliance used primarily in young children and during early orthodontic treatment to promote healthy chewing, swallowing, and muscle development. Chewing is the foundation of a healthy jaw, as the forces generated during chewing stimulate the bones of the face and support proper growth and development. By encouraging proper tongue posture and strengthening the muscles of the lips, cheeks, and jaw, the Myo Munchee® helps support nasal breathing, facial development, and improved oral function. While most commonly used in children, the Myo Munchee® can also benefit adults by promoting healthier oral habits and supporting myofunctional and airway-focused treatment. It is often used alongside myofunctional therapy to establish healthy patterns and create a strong foundation for long-term stability and wellness.
FAQs
Have questions? We have answers.
Why is early orthodontic treatment important?
Early orthodontic treatment allows us to guide jaw growth, correct oral habits, and create space for permanent teeth before problems become more complex. By addressing issues like mouth breathing, improper tongue posture, and narrow arches during key growth phases, we can support proper facial development, reduce the need for extractions, and often avoid braces later. Early intervention also promotes better airway function, improved sleep, and long-term stability—setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles and balanced growth.
What is the Foundations Phase, and why is it important?
Our Foundations Ortho Program helps children establish the three key habits that guide proper jaw and facial development: nasal breathing, lips together, and tongue up. These functions shape how the airway, bite, and facial structure form—and when addressed early, they support natural growth, reduce crowding, and promote a healthier, more stable smile.
Before we can grow the jaws or move teeth, we need to make sure the foundation is stable. This 3–4 month phase includes myofunctional therapy, breathing retraining, a Myobrace® appliance, and four sessions of OraLase™ therapy. If we identify roadblocks like a tongue-tie, enlarged tonsils, or other obstructions, we may recommend additional care to clear the path for proper function and growth.
By correcting the root cause of imbalance—not just the symptoms—we can dramatically reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse and improve long-term stability. This proactive approach sets your child up for lasting oral health, better sleep, and a confident smile that grows with them.
What kind of appliances will my child need?
Every child is unique, and the appliance we recommend will be based on what your child needs to grow properly and develop healthy, functional habits. Whether it’s an expander, habit corrector, or a trainer to support proper tongue posture and nasal breathing, our goal is to guide growth in the right direction—so your child can breathe well, sleep well, and smile with confidence.
How long does early interceptive orthodontics take?
Early interceptive orthodontics—also known as Phase 1 treatment—typically lasts between 6 and 18 months. This early treatment is designed to guide proper jaw development, correct bite issues, and create space for adult teeth to emerge naturally. Every child’s smile is unique, so the length of treatment can vary depending on their specific needs and growth patterns. Our goal is to set the foundation for a healthier, more balanced smile—and potentially reduce the time needed for braces or aligners in the future.
What age should I bring my child in?
As early as possible. At O2dontics, we love seeing babies and young children, especially if there are concerns with feeding, tongue or lip ties, mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep. Early evaluation allows us to support proper oral function, breathing patterns, and facial development from the very beginning. Because most facial growth is largely complete by around age 9, the earlier we identify and address issues such as mouth breathing, narrow jaws, poor tongue posture, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, the more effectively we can guide healthy development. Early intervention often reduces the complexity of future orthodontic treatment and can sometimes eliminate the need for Phase 2 braces altogether, while also supporting healthier breathing and long-term stability.
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