Pediatric Interceptive Orthodontics in Queens, NY
Help your child’s teeth and bite develop with orthodontic care planned for the growing years. PCO Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides early evaluations for crowding, unusual tooth eruption, jaw growth differences, and developing bite concerns. Dr. Tiya determines whether a child may benefit from Phase 1 orthodontics or should be monitored as more permanent teeth appear. Parents receive clear information about timing, suitable options, and realistic treatment goals.
What Is Pediatric Interceptive Orthodontics?
Pediatric interceptive orthodontics is early care provided while a child still has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. Also called Phase 1 orthodontics or early orthodontic treatment, it focuses on developing teeth, jaw relationships, available space, and how the bite is forming.
An early evaluation does not mean every child needs immediate treatment. Some children only need growth and eruption monitoring. Active care may be considered for selected crossbites, severe crowding, unusual eruption, early tooth loss, or oral habits that are affecting dental development.
Meet Your Board-Certified Orthodontist, Dr. Tiya Ungphakorn
Dr. Tiya Ungphakorn graduated from Chulalongkorn University College of Dentistry and served as a dental officer in the Royal Thai Navy. She later earned her DDS and postgraduate certificate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics from New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Tiya is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Her approach to interceptive orthodontics begins with careful timing. She studies how the teeth, jaws, bite, and facial structures are developing before recommending care. Families learn whether treatment could be useful now, whether observation is more appropriate, and what future orthodontic needs may involve.
Why Families Choose PCO for Interceptive Orthodontics
Early orthodontic decisions should be based on development, not age alone. Our team helps families understand what is changing and whether action is needed.
Board-Certified Expertise
Dr. Tiya combines advanced orthodontic training with board certification to evaluate emerging teeth, jaw relationships, eruption patterns, and developing bites.
Growth-Focused Evaluation
This evaluation considers baby and permanent teeth, available space, facial growth, daily oral habits, and how the upper and lower jaws are developing together.
Coordinated Care Planning
Pediatric dental findings and orthodontic needs can be reviewed together, offering families connected guidance while their child’s teeth and bite keep changing.
Honest Treatment Guidance
Parents learn whether treatment, periodic monitoring, or waiting is appropriate, along with the reasons, expected goals, possible limits, and likely next steps.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Sara is a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training in caring for infants, children, and teens.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Sara is a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training in caring for infants, children, and teens.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Sara is a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training in caring for infants, children, and teens.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Sara is a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training in caring for infants, children, and teens.
Benefits of Pediatric Interceptive Orthodontics
Plans Care Around Growth
Starting care during a suitable growth stage may allow selected jaw or bite concerns to be guided while developing structures remain responsive to treatment.
Helps Manage Tooth Space
Managing available room or early tooth loss can better support a clear eruption path for permanent teeth and help reduce avoidable changes in dental spacing.
Supports a Balanced Bite
Addressing a selected crossbite, jaw shift, or other developing concern may improve how the upper and lower teeth meet during comfortable biting and chewing.
What to Expect During Interceptive Orthodontic Care
The first visit focuses on development and timing. Treatment begins only when the findings show that early care may provide a clear benefit.
Dental Growth and Bite Review
Dr. Tiya also reviews dental history, tooth loss, oral habits, and previous care, and examines the teeth, dental arches, jaw relationship, and developing bite.
Orthodontic Records if Needed
Photographs, digital X-rays, impressions, or scans may be recommended when they offer useful information needed to understand eruption, spacing, or jaw growth.
Timing and Treatment Decision
Families learn whether the next step is treatment, scheduled observation, or waiting. Any suggested plan includes its purpose, expected goals, and limitations.
Monitoring and Follow-Up Care
Children receiving treatment return for progress reviews and appliance checks. Those being observed have later visits planned around growth and tooth eruption.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Interceptive Orthodontics
At what age should my child have an orthodontic evaluation?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic check no later than age seven. At this stage, enough permanent teeth may be present to evaluate eruption, space, jaw relationships, and the developing bite. An earlier visit may be appropriate if a concern is already visible.
Does an evaluation at age seven mean treatment will begin?
No. Many children do not need active care at age seven. The visit may show that development is progressing normally or that periodic monitoring is the best choice. Treatment is considered only when a specific concern may benefit from action during growth.
How do you decide whether my child needs Phase 1 treatment?
Dr. Tiya considers the type and severity of the problem, tooth eruption, jaw growth, available space, bite function, oral habits, and your child’s ability to participate. A recommendation is made only after the findings and treatment timing are reviewed.
What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontics?
Phase 1 addresses selected problems while a child has both baby and permanent teeth. Phase 2 generally occurs after more permanent teeth have erupted and focuses on their final alignment and bite. Some children need both phases, while others need monitoring or one later phase.
Will my child still need braces after interceptive treatment?
Possibly. Interceptive treatment focuses on a defined developmental concern and does not guarantee that later braces will be unnecessary. After Phase 1, Dr. Tiya monitors tooth eruption and jaw growth before determining whether comprehensive orthodontic treatment may be helpful.
Convenient Pediatric Interceptive Orthodontics in Queens, NY
PCO Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides early orthodontic evaluations at 34-22 35th Street, Queens, NY 11106. We welcome families from Great Neck, Long Island City, and nearby Queens communities who have questions about crowding, tooth eruption, oral habits, jaw growth, or their child’s bite.
Dr. Tiya reviews each child’s development before recommending treatment or monitoring. Parents receive straightforward guidance about the concern, available choices, appropriate timing, possible limits, and follow-up needs. Call (718) 223-5652 or schedule online to arrange an interceptive orthodontic evaluation.