Two Phase Treatment

What is the advantage of two phase orthodontic treatment?

Two phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process combining tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, esthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

Phase One

Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles

The goal of phase one treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate proper alignment of the permanent teeth and to 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 are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of 8 and above have crowded front teeth, early treatment can be pivotal in the development of the child’s self esteem and prevent unnecessary teasing by others. Treatment at this stage may also avoid the need to extract permanent teeth later.

  • Planning now can save your smile later: 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. It is important to understand that the goal of Phase-One treatment is NOT to avoid having braces later.
  • Making records to determine your 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 consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child’s initial consultation, your doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

What if I put off treatment?

Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your smile. In essence, we may have “missed the boat” on the ideal time to treat a particular problem. For example, delaying treatment of a narrow upper jaw may cause abnormal jaw growth that will lead to a permanent jaw asymmetry. Once this occurs, surgery will be required to restore facial symmetry.

Resting Period

In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. 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 your 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 reevaluation 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 jaws. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and 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.

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