What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

The American Association of Orthdontists recommends that all children be seen at age 7 for an orthodontic evaluation by an orthodontist.

Our office believes there is ample research that supports treating many orthodontic malocclusions in ONE phase as opposed to two which can save our patients significant time and cost.  There are certain conditions though that research has shown will have a benefit to be treated early such as:

Class III relationships which is caused by the lower jaw outgrowing the upper jaw.  Early intervention can help limit or prevent the need for surgical intervention in the future.

Severe class II relationships where the upper jaw and teeth are drastically ahead of the lower jaw or teeth which can lead to an esthetic handicap or injury to the upper front teeth.

Crossbites of permanent posterior teeth as a result of a narrow upper jaw that leads to a shift of the lower jaw to one side or the other.  If untreated this can cause a permanent facial asymmetry.

Crossbites of the permanent front teeth that can cause damage to the facial aspect of the anterior teeth.

Severe crowding that should be addressed to prevent impaction of permanent teeth or the need for future permanent tooth extraction.  Depending on the severity of crowding and facial characteristics the best plan of action may be to appropriately time the selective removal of primary and permanent teeth to provide the best result.

Any esthetic condition that causes children to be teased or self conscious. 

What if I put off treatment in an indicated two phase treatment situation?

Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your smile. Early treatment in indicated cases is most effective for achieving lasting results.

Phase — One

Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles

The goal of phase one treatment is to help the jaws develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and to improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop.

• Planning now can save your smile later

  Children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.

• Making records to determine your unique treatment

  Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial consultation, your doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

Resting Period

In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path; otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.

• Monitoring your teeth's 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 six-month basis.

Phase — Two

Stay healthy and look attractive

The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase two usually involves full upper and lower braces.

At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase, to correct and realign the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 12-18 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.

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