• Why Braces
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• Early Prevention
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• Two-Phase Treatment
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• For Children, Teens and Adults
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• Orthodontic FAQ

Two-Phase Treatment

Is there an advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

Two-Phase orthodontic treatment is a focused progression that combines tooth straightening and structural changes. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is done in order to maximize the opportunity to achieve the best functional, healthy and aesthetic result that will provide you with a stable smile throughout your lifetime.

What if I delay having treatment?

There are some jaw and dental problems that early treatment will improve an overall outcome in the future. Delaying treatment later in life may result in patients needing a more invasive treatment or limit the opportunity to completely fix the patients smile.

Phase — One

The objective of phase-one treatment is to encourage proper jaw growth in a way that will fit all of the adult teeth and improve the manner in how the upper and lower jaws fit together. Jaw problems present themselves early on as the child grows and develops. An upper jaw that is growing too narrow or too quickly can be detected by an orthodontist at an early age. If children have these types of jaw problems and are over the age of six, they are generally good candidates for interceptive orthodontic treatment. Also, if children have severely crowded front teeth and are around the age of 9, then early treatment may help avoid the need to extract adult teeth later.

How planning now may help save your smile in the future
Some children can benefit tremendously from having phase-one treatment. In some cases, having interceptive treatment may prevent the need to remove adult teeth later on in life, or the need for invasive procedures such as surgery to realign upper and lower jaws.

How orthodontic records help to determine your unique treatment plan
In order to determine the type of necessary appliances, the length of time in treatment, and the frequency of your office visits, the orthodontist evaluates your orthodontic records. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial exam, the orthodontist will take full diagnostic records to determine if interceptive treatment will be needed.

Phase — Two

The objective of a second phase of treatment is to ensure that each tooth has an exact location in the mouth. Each tooth needs to have a good relationship with the tongue, lips, cheek as well as the other teeth. When this balance is created, the teeth will function together correctly. This phase typically requires full upper and lower braces.

With a first phase of treatment, you begin with orthodontic records and receive a diagnosis and establish a treatment plan. Specific appliances may be used in the early treatment phase to correct and realign jaws and teeth. Once all of the permanent teeth have erupted, the second phase begins and usually requires braces on all teeth. The average treatment time for the second phase is around 12 to 20 months. After orthodontic treatment is completed, retainers are worn to ensure you retain your straight, beautiful smile!