A Special Kind of Orthodontic Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized orthodontic process that encompasses facial and physical changes. Your orthodontist must determine if this treatment is the right process for you. The major advantage of two-phase treatment is maximizing the opportunity to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile that will remain constant.
First-Phase Treatment
The goal of first-phase treatment is to develop the jaw size to accommodate all permanent teeth, relate upper and lower jaws to each other, and treat traumatically positioned teeth.
As children grow and develop, they sometimes show signs of jaw problems. Children that have problems with upper or lower jaws growing too much or too little can be detected at an early age. Children past the age of 6 that have this jaw problem are candidates for orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the types of appliances to be used, duration of treatment time, and frequency of visits. Records will consist of models of teeth, x-rays and photographs.
Resting Period
In this phase, the permanent teeth began to break through the gums. Your orthodontist may recommend that you wear a retainer. Sometimes it is best to give your permanent teeth freedom to move while they are bursting forth in your gums. A successful first phase will have created room for teeth to find an eruption path. Otherwise, they may have become displaced.
Now the Second-Phase Treatment will begin.
Second-Phase Treatment
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. The goal in this phase is to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. Retainers are worn after this phase.