Early and Two-Phase Treatment
Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children
What is the difference between early orthodontic treatment and regular orthodontic treatment and why might my child need early treatment? How will early treatment benefit my child in the long-run? These are just a few of the questions surrounding the topic of early orthodontic treatment for children. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first see an orthodontist as early as age 7. At this point the orthodontist will evaluate whether or not your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems such as underbite or crossbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for the permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance for extractions or more complicated treatment in the future.
How to tell if your child may need early orthodontic treatment:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (your child should typically start losing teeth around age five, and will have all their permanent teeth in around age 13).
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting.
- Your child continues sucking their thumb after age five.
- Protruding teeth (the top teeth and the bottom teeth extend away from each other).
- Teeth that don't come together in a normal manner or even at all.
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes their mouth (crossbites).
- Crowded front teeth around age 7 or 8.
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 all 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. A lower jaw that is growing too much or an upper jaw that is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children, over the age of six, are found to have these jaw discrepancies, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of 8 have crowded front teeth, early treatment can avoid the potential need to remove permanent teeth later. The average treatment time for Dr. Altherr’s Phase I patients is about 6 months.
Phase Two- Stay Healthy and look Attractive
The goal of the second phase is to make sure your teeth are positioned correctly in your mouth so that they are in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and face. Phase two usually involves full upper and lower braces. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase to correct and realign the teeth and jaws. The second phase begins when nearly all permanent teeth are in, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 15-21 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile indefinitely.