Two-Phase Treatment

Two-phase treatment is a specialized orthodontic treatment for children. It combines teeth straightening and creating a functional bite. This treatment creates a proper foundation for normal jaw development and eruption of permanent teeth. Early or late loss of baby teeth, crowded or misplaced teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites and other such oral problems can be treated at an early age with this orthodontic treatment.

Is This Treatment Necessary for My Child?

You can only be sure of this by having your child examined by an orthodontist. It is important that your child gets his or her first orthodontic consultation done by the age of 7. If your child is at least 7 years old, schedule a free consultation with us in Fresno, CA, today.

How Is It Beneficial for My Child?

Your child can benefit immensely from the two-phase treatment if deemed necessary. The early phase one treatment directs the proper growth of your child’s teeth and jaws. This lays a strong foundation for correct eruption and growth of your child’s permanent teeth.

Besides, early orthodontic treatment reduces the chances of extensive orthodontic treatments such as jaw surgery at a later stage in life. This is because orthodontic treatments produce the best results when the jaw is still developing. Making changes in the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaw structure becomes much easier if done sooner as compared to making similar changes later.

Phase One Treatment

The phase one or early orthodontic treatment is used to correct some of the most commonly occurring oral problems listed below:

• Protruding teeth to reduce the risk of injury or loss
• Crossbites which may lead to gum recession, asymmetric jaw growth or excessive tooth wear if not treated early
• Overbites and underbites
• Early or late loss of baby teeth which may result in space loss and which is difficult to rectify at a later stage

Appliances such as palatal expander and/or a partial set of braces are generally used during this phase of treatment to correct the above-listed problems. The treatment spans over 6-12 months.

Resting Period

During this period the rest of the permanent teeth are allowed to develop on their own. Most likely, they emerge in better positions than they would have without the phase one of this treatment. Retainers may also be prescribed to retain the effect of the partial braces used in phase one.

Phase Two Treatment

This phase involves the usage of full braces in the upper and the lower teeth as per your child’s orthodontic requirements. Because your child has undergone phase one treatment, he or she will experience a shorter and an easier time with the braces in this phase with better results. This treatment period usually lasts for 12-20 months. Usually the period between 11 and 15 years is the most common and ideal time for phase 2 orthodontic treatment.

If you want to learn more about how the two-phase treatment can give your child a perfect smile and reduce the need for extractions and surgeries later, get in touch with us today. We at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno, CA, look forward to discussing your child’s orthodontic care course in a free consultation.