Early Treatment
Early Orthodontic Treatment in St. Petersburg — The Right Start Makes Everything Easier.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Not because every 7-year-old needs braces — but because early evaluation allows Dr. Mansour to identify developing issues before they become more complex, more costly, and harder to correct. In many cases, early treatment is the difference between a straightforward Phase 2 and extensive intervention years later.
Your child’s complimentary evaluation — including CEPH and PANO imaging at no charge — takes about 60 minutes and gives you a complete picture of where development stands and what, if anything, to do about it. No referral needed.
What Can Dr. Mansour See at Age 7 That Your Dentist Cannot?
By age 7, a child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth that gives an orthodontic specialist a clear window into how their jaw is developing, how their bite is forming, and whether any issues are on track to create problems. The jaw is still growing and malleable — making this the optimal time to guide development before patterns become fixed.
Dr. Mansour uses CEPH imaging to evaluate the skeletal relationship between the upper and lower jaw, and PANO imaging to see all developing teeth — including those still below the gumline. This level of diagnostic detail is what separates a specialist’s evaluation from a general dentist’s visual check.
Jaw is Still Growing
The growth window between ages 7–12 allows Dr. Mansour to guide jaw development in ways that are not possible once growth is complete.
Problems Caught Early
Crowding, bite issues, impacted teeth, and skeletal discrepancies are far easier to address during active development.
Many Children Just Need Monitoring
Early evaluation does not mean early treatment. Many children are simply placed on a monitoring schedule — parents leave with clarity and a plan.
You do not need to wait for a referral. If you notice any of the following, an evaluation with Dr. Mansour is worth scheduling:
01
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Baby teeth that fall out significantly earlier or later than expected can indicate developing spacing or crowding issues.
02
Difficulty chewing or biting
Bite problems that affect how your child eats rarely resolve on their own and are worth evaluating early.
03
Mouth breathing or snoring
Chronic mouth breathing can signal a narrow upper jaw or airway concern that responds well to early intervention.
04
Thumb sucking past age 4–5
Prolonged habits that affect jaw shape and tooth position. Earlier evaluation leads to earlier, simpler correction.
05
Crowded or misplaced teeth
Teeth that appear visibly crowded, rotated, or erupting in the wrong position benefit from early assessment.
06
Jaws that shift, click, or look uneven
Jaw asymmetry or shifting during biting is a sign of crossbite or skeletal discrepancy that responds best to early treatment.
07
Protruding upper front teeth
Upper teeth that stick out significantly are at higher risk of injury and often benefit from early reduction of the overjet.
Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 — What’s the Difference?
Orthodontic treatment is sometimes divided into two phases for children who benefit from early intervention:
Phase 1
Ages 7–10 (approx.)
Interceptive treatment while the jaw is still growing. Goal: guide jaw development, correct bite problems, create space for permanent teeth, and reduce the severity of treatment needed in Phase 2.
May include: partial braces, expanders, space maintainers, habit appliances, or other specialized devices.
Duration: typically 6–12 months, followed by a resting period.
Phase 2
Ages 11–13 (approx.)
Full orthodontic treatment once most or all permanent teeth have erupted. For Phase 1 patients, Phase 2 is often shorter and simpler because the groundwork was already laid.
Includes: full braces (metal, ceramic, or WildSmiles®) or Invisalign®, depending on the case and patient preference.
Duration: typically 18–24 months.
Not every child who has an early evaluation needs Phase 1 treatment. In many cases, Dr. Mansour’s recommendation is simply to monitor — scheduling check-ins every 6–12 months to watch development and identify the optimal window for Phase 2 treatment. Parents leave with a clear plan either way.
Phase 1 treatment is not always braces. Depending on your child’s specific needs, Dr. Mansour may recommend one or more of the following:
- Partial Braces — Brackets on select front teeth to begin correcting position and alignment before all permanent teeth have erupted.
- Palatal Expander — A fixed or removable appliance that gently widens the upper jaw to create space for permanent teeth and correct crossbites. Most effective while the jaw suture is still open — which is why early timing matters.
- Space Maintainer — When a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer holds the space open so the permanent tooth can erupt in the correct position.
- Habit Appliance — Designed to help children break thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habits that are affecting jaw and tooth development.
- Monitoring Only — Sometimes the best treatment is watchful waiting. Dr. Mansour schedules check-ins every 6–12 months and identifies the optimal window to begin Phase 2 treatment.
Braces Don’t Have to Be Boring.
For children starting Phase 1 or Phase 2 braces treatment, SPOCS offers WildSmiles® Designer Braces — 25 unique bracket shapes across the Signature, Disney, and College collections. Kids choose their shapes, mix and match, and change elastic colors at every appointment. Research shows 70% of children under 11 choose WildSmiles® when it’s offered. Giving kids a role builds excitement and better compliance.
01
Complimentary Evaluation
Dr. Mansour evaluates your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw development using full CEPH and PANO diagnostic imaging — included at no charge. He assesses jaw growth patterns, tooth eruption sequence, and bite relationships. The evaluation takes about 60 minutes.
02
Honest Recommendation
Dr. Mansour gives you a clear answer: treatment now, monitoring, or return when older. If treatment is not indicated, you leave with a monitoring plan and the confidence of knowing your child’s development is on track. He will never recommend treatment that isn’t necessary.
03
Custom Treatment Plan (If Indicated)
If Phase 1 treatment is recommended, Dr. Mansour designs a custom plan addressing your child’s specific developmental needs. He explains every option, every appliance, and every expected outcome before you make any decision.
04
Treatment & Resting Period
Phase 1 treatment typically runs 6–12 months. After completion, most children enter a resting period where Dr. Mansour monitors development every 6–12 months until the optimal time to begin Phase 2 full treatment.
05
Phase 2 Full Treatment
When most or all permanent teeth have erupted, Phase 2 begins. For patients who completed Phase 1, this stage is typically shorter and simpler. Full treatment options include metal braces, ceramic braces, WildSmiles®, or Invisalign®.
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, Dr. Mansour can assess jaw development, tooth eruption sequence, and bite formation — and identify issues that respond best to early intervention while the jaw is still growing.
Does my child need a referral to see Dr. Mansour?
No referral is needed. You can call SPOCS Orthodontics directly at (727) 242-8000 or book online at spocsorthodontics.com. Your child’s evaluation is complimentary and includes CEPH and PANO imaging at no charge.
Does early evaluation mean my child will need braces right away?
Not necessarily. Many children Dr. Mansour evaluates at age 7 or 8 are simply placed on a monitoring schedule. Early evaluation gives you a clear picture of your child’s development and a timeline for when treatment, if needed, will be most effective.
What is Phase 1 orthodontic treatment?
Phase 1 is early interceptive treatment for children ages 7–10 while the jaw is still growing. It addresses issues like narrow jaws, crossbites, and crowding before all permanent teeth erupt — often simplifying or reducing the need for Phase 2 full treatment later.
How long does Phase 1 treatment take?
Phase 1 treatment at SPOCS typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the appliance and issue being addressed. It is followed by a resting period with regular monitoring before Phase 2 begins.
Can my child get WildSmiles® designer braces?
Yes. WildSmiles® Designer Braces are available for Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment at SPOCS. Children choose from 25 bracket shapes across the Signature, Disney, and College collections and change elastic colors at every appointment. Available at no additional cost.
What if my child is nervous about braces?
Dr. Mansour and the SPOCS team work with children regularly and are skilled at making the experience calm and positive. WildSmiles® designer brackets turn anxiety into excitement for most kids — they get to choose their own brackets.
