What is two-phase orthodontic treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and guiding facial growth, while the jaw and other bones are still maturing. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish an ideal, healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your child’s life.
What if treatment delayed?
When a two-phase plan is indicated, putting off treatment might result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life which may not completely fix your child’s smile. Early treatment can often be most effective for achieving lasting results.
Phase One
The goal of Phase-One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age.
If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they may be candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment may prevent the need to extract permanent teeth later.
- Planning now can save your child’s smile later
Some 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 child’s 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 may consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your son or daughter’s initial consultation, Dr. Willes will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.
Interim Period
In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt (come in). 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 the 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 to 18 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure your child retains his or her beautiful smile.