What is the Advantage of Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and the physical, facial and bony changes associated with growing children . The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to achieve the ideal healthy, functional, comfortable bite and smile that will remain stable throughout their life.
First Phase Treatment: Your Foundation for a Lifetime of Beautiful Teeth
The goal of first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth and to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age 6 are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Acting now could save your smile later!
Because they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth. This early correction may later prevent removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces alone.
Orthodontic Records help to determine Your Unique Treatment
Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of Phase 1 appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Orthodontic Records consist of digital photos of the face and teeth, digital x-rays and our iTero digital tooth scanner which allows us to see a 3D images of your teeth and your bite from all angles.
Resting Period after Phase 1
In this resting period, the remaining permanent teeth are allowed to erupt. Retaining devices may be introduced to maintain Phase 1 results. It is best to allow the existing teeth some freedom of movement while final eruption of teeth occurs. A successful first phase will have created room for teeth to find proper eruption pathways. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.
Monitoring the Teeth’s Progress
At the end of the first phase of treatment, the bite should be improved substantially though the teeth may not be in their final perfected positions. These final teeth positions of the remaining adult teeth are often 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 at our Marda Loop Braces office for growth check-ins are often necessary, usually on a six-month basis. There is no charge for these check-in visits with Dr. Andrew Chen
Second Phase Treatment: Stay Healthy! A Perfect Smile Awaits!
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, both the teeth and the bite will function together properly.
Can Treatment be put off until the patient is older?
The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment for someone with a jaw discrepancy is facing the possibility of a compromised result that may not be stable over time.