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What is two-phase treatment?
Two-phase treatment divides a child’s comprehensive treatment journey into two sections:
- Physical, facial changes
- Tooth straightening and physical, facial changes
What’s the purpose of two-phase treatment?
Two-phase treatment maximizes the opportunity of reaching your child’s ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that remains stable throughout their life.
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How do I know if my child needs two-phase treatment?
Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop, such as an upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow. Children over age six who have this jaw discrepancy are candidates for two-phase treatment. Children around age eight with crowded front teeth can complete two-phase treatment to resolve the crowding and avoid a permanent tooth extraction later.
During an initial evaluation, Dr. Lynskey can share whether your child would benefit from two-phase treatment.
What if treatment is put off?
Putting off treatment can mean more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your child’s smile. Two-phase treatment is best for achieving lasting results.
Phase One: Guiding development
Between seven and 10, when your child has both baby and permanent teeth, the two-phase treatment begins. Phase one helps the jaw develop to accommodate all permanent teeth and improve upper-lower jaw fit.
Your child's orthodontic records include models, X-rays, and photos. These records help us choose appliances, determine treatment length, and determine how often your child should see the orthodontist.
Phase One of the two-phase treatment achieves several important goals:
- Manage proper jaw development
- Lower risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
- Correct effects of harmful oral habits (like thumbsucking) that can affect jaw growth
- Improve appearance
- Guide permanent teeth into a favorable position
- Improve the way lips meet
- Improve airway
Phase Two: Final tooth position
The second phase of the two-phase treatment aligns each tooth with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. This equilibrium allows the teeth to work together. Phase Two usually involves full braces.
The first phase involved orthodontic records, diagnosis, and treatment. The first phase used appliances to align the teeth and jaw. After all permanent teeth erupt, the second phase requires braces for 24 months. After this phase, retainers protect your child's smile.
Goals of phase two:
- Align and level permanent teeth to match lips, cheeks, tongue, and opposing teeth.
- Refine the smile aesthetics and bite.