Gamblin Orthodontics in Hazlehurst has released an explainer by Dr. Jeff Gamblin detailing the rationale behind two-phase orthodontic treatment for children, a method that separates jaw development guidance from tooth alignment into distinct stages of a child’s growth. The announcement comes as families in Copiah County seek clarity on when and why a child might need an early orthodontic evaluation rather than waiting until all permanent teeth have arrived.
Two-phase treatment divides care into two periods tied to dental development. Phase One begins while a child still has some baby teeth and focuses on guiding jaw growth and creating space for permanent teeth. Addressing jaw width, bite relationships, and crowding at this stage can reduce the complexity of later treatment by working with natural growth. Phase One typically involves appliances that influence the shape and position of the developing jaw. After Phase One, a resting period follows during which remaining permanent teeth erupt on their own, with monitoring at Gamblin Orthodontics to determine the right time for Phase Two. Phase Two then aligns the full set of permanent teeth, using either braces for kids in Hazlehurst, MS or clear aligners, depending on the child’s needs.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic screening by age seven, when enough permanent teeth have typically arrived to give an orthodontist meaningful information about jaw and tooth development. Dr. Gamblin emphasizes that an early evaluation does not automatically mean early treatment; it simply allows the orthodontist to determine whether intervention at that stage would be beneficial or whether monitoring is the better course. Parents are encouraged to schedule a visit if they notice a child having difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking beyond the preschool years, crowded or unevenly spaced teeth, jaws that shift or make sounds, or upper and lower teeth that do not come together in a typical pattern. Early or late primary tooth loss can also be worth discussing with an orthodontist.
An initial consultation at Gamblin Orthodontics typically involves a clinical examination and, where appropriate, diagnostic records such as photographs and X-rays to assess jaw structure, tooth position, and development stage. Parents receive a clear explanation of what is observed and, if treatment is recommended, what sequence of care would address it. If Phase One is not indicated, the family is generally brought into a monitoring schedule so the child can be reassessed as more permanent teeth arrive.
The Hazlehurst office is located at 153 Downing St and can be reached at (601) 894-4732. Families in the Jackson metro area may also visit the Ridgeland office at 325 W Jackson St, reachable at (601) 707-5960. Two-phase treatment is not the right path for every child, and Dr. Gamblin notes that the evaluation process itself carries value independent of whether active treatment follows. Understanding a child’s developmental trajectory gives families the information needed to make decisions on a timeline that works with the child’s biology rather than one dictated solely by age or convenience. For more information, visit Gamblin Orthodontics.
