A Step-by-Step Approach to a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth alignment and facial development to achieve the best possible results for your child’s smile. The goal is to address issues early, creating lasting improvements in both function and appearance while preventing more invasive treatments down the road.
Why Choose Two-Phase Treatment?
Two-phase treatment maximizes the potential for a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile that will remain stable throughout your child’s life. By addressing orthodontic issues early, we set the foundation for a smoother, more effective treatment process later on.
What happens if treatment is delayed?
Delaying treatment can result in the need for more complex procedures later, and may not fully correct your child’s smile. Early intervention provides the best chance for achieving lasting results.
Phase One: Laying the Foundation for a Beautiful Smile
Phase One focuses on guiding the development of your child’s jaw and creating space for permanent teeth. By addressing jaw issues early, we can ensure proper alignment of the upper and lower jaws and avoid more invasive procedures down the road.
When should Phase One begin?
- Jaw issues: If a child’s upper jaw is too narrow or growing unevenly, this can often be spotted around age six.
- Crowded teeth: If your child is around age eight and has crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need for extractions later.
Benefits of Phase One
- Prevents the need for tooth extractions
- Reduces the risk of requiring surgery later in life
- Sets the stage for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly
What happens during Phase One?
We begin by taking orthodontic records, including X-rays, photographs, and teeth models, to create a personalized treatment plan. Appliances are used to correct jaw issues, with the goal of creating room for the permanent teeth.
Resting Period: Allowing Time for Growth
After Phase One, a resting period allows the remaining permanent teeth to erupt naturally. During this time, we avoid using retainers, as they could interfere with the eruption process. We’ll monitor your child’s progress through periodic check-ups (usually every six months), ensuring the teeth are coming in as expected and creating enough space.
Phase Two: Achieving the Final Result
Once all the permanent teeth have erupted, we begin Phase Two to fine-tune the alignment and ensure everything fits together perfectly. This phase typically involves full braces to position each tooth in its ideal location, ensuring harmony with the lips, cheeks, and tongue for optimal function and appearance.
What happens in Phase Two?
- Braces: Full braces are applied to all teeth and typically remain in place for about 24 months.
- Final adjustments: This phase refines the position of the teeth, creating the perfect smile.
- Retainers: After Phase Two, your child will wear retainers to maintain their new smile.
Why Two-Phase Treatment Works
By addressing orthodontic issues early, two-phase treatment creates a healthier, more functional smile that lasts. Starting Phase One early prevents the need for more invasive treatments later and sets the foundation for an ideal final result in Phase Two.
The result?
- A beautiful, confident smile
- Improved function and bite
- A healthy, stable jaw and teeth
