Two-Phase Treatment

What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized program that encompasses eruption guidance, tooth straightening, and facial growth changes at a young age before the patient is ready for full braces. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish an ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic and stable result.

What if I put off treatment?

The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment for someone with a jaw discrepancy is in allowing growth to continue with the skeletal discrepancy whereas a chance to possibly alter the growth pattern was missed.

Severe crowding, crossbites, and arch-changing habits are other examples of problems that tend to get worse if not dealt with early, and sometimes compromises final treatment.

First Phase Treatment: Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful teeth and working jaws.

The Jaws – Not Just the Teeth

One of the goals of first phase treatment is to attempt to develop the jaw size to accommodate the erupting permanent teeth and to help relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper or lower jaw growing too much or not enough, or in the wrong direction, can often be recognized and treated at an early age.

Planning now can save your smile later

Because they grow rapidly, many children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. A good foundation can often be established, and if adequate room can be developed for the eruption of all of the teeth, this early correction may prevent the need for the later removal of permanent teeth to correct the overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such conditions untreated until all the permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy or crowding too severe to achieve a more ideal result.

Taking records to determine your unique diagnosis and treatment

Orthodontic records are necessary and important 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.

Monitoring your teeth’s progress

At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be accomplished in the second phase of treatment when full braces are put on if necessary. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption; therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a four- to six-month basis.

Second Phase Treatment: 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.

Movement & Retention

At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were taken and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase, as dictated by the problem. Similarly, after taking new records, the second phase is initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted. This usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.