As a parent, you want the best for your child's health and their smile is no exception. Many Northern Virginia families are surprised to learn that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At Excelsior Orthodontics in Purcellville, VA, Dr. Minh Nguyen and Dr. Tamana Spingher specialize in identifying bite issues early before they become bigger, costlier problems.
Why Early Orthodontic Evaluation Matters
Between ages 7 and 10, children still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. This window gives orthodontists a unique opportunity to guide jaw development and address issues like crossbites, overcrowding, and protruding teeth before they worsen. Catching these problems early can significantly shorten or even eliminate the need for braces later in life.
What Is Early Interceptive Treatment?
Early interceptive treatment (also called Phase 1 orthodontics) involves using specialized appliances to guide growth and create space for incoming permanent teeth. At Excelsior Orthodontics, Dr. Minh and Dr. Spingher also offers MARPE/MSE palate expansion treatment, a non-surgical option that widens the upper jaw to correct skeletal width problems in teen patients.
These solutions can improve breathing, reduce crowding, and set the stage for a shorter Phase 2 (braces or aligners) down the road.
What to Expect at Your Child's First Visit
Your child's first visit to Excelsior Orthodontics is completely free. Dr. Minh will perform a thorough evaluation using digital scans and X-rays, explain findings in plain language, and outline a customized plan with no pressure and no upsells. Dr. Spingher's gentle, reassuring chairside manner makes even anxious young patients feel right at home.
Excelsior Orthodontics proudly serves kids from Purcellville, Leesburg, Hamilton, Round Hill, Waterford, Brunswick MD, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
