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What Are the Benefits of Undergoing Two-phase Orthodontic Treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment involves both straightening teeth and making physical changes to the face. The goal of this specialized process is to achieve the best possible long-term results in terms of health, function, and aesthetics.
What Happens if I Delay Getting Treatment?
Delaying treatment can lead to the need for more extensive procedures in the future that may not fully restore your smile. It is best to seek early treatment for the most effective and long-lasting results.
Phase One
Building the foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles
The objective of Phase-One treatment is to assist in the proper development of the jaw to make room for all permanent teeth and enhance the alignment of the upper and lower jaws. Early signs of jaw issues can often be seen in children as they grow. If a child over the age of six is identified with excessive upper jaw growth or narrowness, they may benefit from early orthodontic intervention. Additionally, if a child around the age of eight has crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need for extracting permanent teeth in the future.
- Start planning now to protect your smile in the future: Early phase treatment can greatly benefit children by potentially avoiding the need to remove permanent teeth or undergo surgical procedures to realign the jaws later in life.
- Creating records to customize your treatment plan: Orthodontic records are essential in determining the appropriate appliances, treatment duration, and visit frequency. These records include teeth models, X-rays, and photographs, which will be taken during your child's initial consultation to assess the need for early treatment.
Time for Relaxation
During this stage, the newly erupting permanent teeth are allowed to come in without any interference. Retaining devices may not be necessary if they would hinder the eruption process. It is important to give the permanent teeth space to move naturally. A successful first phase should have made enough room for the permanent teeth to come in properly. Otherwise, they may end up impacted or misaligned.
- Tracking the progress of your teeth: After the initial phase of treatment, your teeth will not be in their final positions. The second phase of treatment will determine and achieve this. It may be beneficial to remove certain primary (baby) teeth to enhance eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, regular recall appointments for observation are required, typically every six months.
Phase Two
Stay healthy and appear attractive
The second phase aims to ensure that each tooth is positioned correctly in the mouth to work harmoniously with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. This alignment allows the teeth to function properly together. Typically, full upper and lower braces are used in this phase.
In the initial phase, orthodontic records were created, a diagnosis was made, and a treatment plan was established. Various appliances were utilized to correct and align the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins once all permanent teeth have emerged, and usually involves braces on all teeth for an average of 15-24 months. Retainers are then worn to maintain the beautiful smile achieved after treatment.