Two-Phase Treatment
Our Philosophy
Orthodontics can improve smiles at any age. However, there is usually a BEST age to begin treatment. Early examination (age 7) allows for determination of how and when your child’s treatment should begin. Treatment at the right age allows for maximum improvement with the least amount of time and expense. Certain types of tooth and jaw problems should be treated BEFORE all the permanent teeth have erupted.
The purpose of Phase I orthopedic treatment is to aid in growth problems. This type of treatment is Orthopedic in nature—meaning that the jaws are encouraged to grow and develop properly. Braces and/or expansion appliances can be used to stimulate the growth of the jaws and create room for the larger permanent teeth. Treatment for this first phase takes between 12 and 16 months.
First Phase Orthopedic Treatment (Correcting jaw growth problems)
Advantages of early two stage treatment:
- Prevents more complex treatment
- Improves the relationship of the upper and lower jaws to one another…allowing more normal future development.
- Improves facial appearance.
- Takes advantage of growth at the right time…essential for success of treatment.
- Stops harmful habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting.
- Reduces risk of damaging protruding teeth by retracting them.
- Reduces the possibility that permanent teeth will need to be removed.
- Prevents more complicated orthodontic problems from occurring.
- Patients at this age are more cooperative.
Disadvantages of early treatment:
- May require further treatment because there are still 16 permanent teeth awaiting eruption.
Monitoring progress:
At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a 6-9 month basis.