The team at Brodsky Orthodontics has been caring for children’s smiles across Lakewood for many years. Drs. Joel and Charles are the neighborhood’s orthodontics experts. Wondering how to get your child started? If your children are around seven, doctors might recommend a two-phase orthodontic treatment. But what does that mean, and why might your child need it? Let’s explore the two-phase orthodontic treatment below.
What is Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment?
Why does treatment need two phases? What’s wrong with just one? This treatment combines teeth straightening, physical changes, and facial changes. Its purpose is not only to correct issues with the teeth but also to address any issues with your child’s jaw and facial development. This treatment is divided into two parts.
Phase One, or the interceptive treatment, begins while many baby teeth remain. The goal is to correct significant problems early, preventing them from becoming more severe. Between the two phases, there’s a resting period. This period allows your child to recover from Phase One.
Phase Two begins after the resting period. It typically involves full braces and focuses on achieving the best aesthetic and functional result. By addressing orthodontic issues in two stages, we can often achieve results that may be less achievable after your child’s facial structures and jaws have finished growing.
Benefits of Two-Phase Treatment
- Two-phase treatment offers several advantages:
- It allows us to achieve an ideal result by harnessing a child’s growth and development.
- Early intervention can correct significant orthodontic problems, potentially reducing the need for extractions or surgical procedures later.
- By addressing issues early on, we can reduce your child’s time in braces and the need to wear braces during their teen years, which can be a big plus for many young patients!
- Two-phase treatment can help improve your child’s self-esteem by addressing aesthetic concerns earlier.
Who is a Candidate for Two-Phase Treatment?
Children who exhibit specific orthodontic issues early, usually around seven to 10 years old, are typically recommended for two-phase treatment. These issues might include crossbites, severe crowding, or protruding front teeth. Early intervention can help guide jaw growth, allowing your child’s incoming teeth to grow as they should. Intervening early also helps reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth.
But not every child’s needs are the same. Two-phase treatment is necessary for many kids, but not all of them. Our doctors evaluate each child’s needs independently. No treatment plan works precisely the same way for each child. The best way to figure out if your child could benefit from two-phase treatment is to come to see us in person!
What to Expect During Two-Phase Treatment
During Phase One, we focus on helping your child’s jaw growth. We want the treatment to create conditions for the future alignment of permanent teeth. This phase usually involves using specific orthodontic appliances and lasts about six to 12 months.
After this, there’s a rest period where the remaining permanent teeth can erupt naturally. This rest period is a crucial part of the treatment, as it allows the jaw to develop fully and makes the second treatment phase more effective. Phase two typically involves full braces and lasts an average of about a year or two.
The Brodsky Orthodontics team can answer any questions you might have. We’re here to support you and your child throughout their treatment. We understand that orthodontic treatment is a huge commitment, and we’re dedicated to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
FAQs
These are some of the most common questions the Brodsky Orthodontics team received about two-phase treatment. You might find yours answered below. But if not, visit us in person! We happily welcome any and all questions.
How old should my child be to begin treatment?
Many questions about orthodontic issues have the same answer: it depends. Suppose you ask the American Association of Orthodontists. In that case, they will tell you your child should have their first appointment by age seven. At this age, we can discern whether or not your child might benefit from early intervention with two-phase treatment.
Will my child still need full braces if they have Phase One treatment?
Most likely, yes. While Phase One aims to address significant problems early, Phase Two usually involves full braces to perfect the alignment and bite.
Does two-phase treatment mean my child will be in treatment longer?
Not necessarily. Two-phase treatment aims to create the best result with the least time and effort. We can often reduce the overall treatment time by addressing specific issues early.
Is the two-phase treatment more expensive?
The two-phase treatment is designed with the future in mind. It might appear expensive at the outset, but that expense will continue to pay dividends as your child grows. Think of a two-phase treatment as the foundation of your child’s smile. The better the foundation, the more orthodontists can build into correcting your child’s smile. Even better, a solid foundation will need fewer repairs later. The point? We understand that cost is a concern. Budgets are limited. We will work with your insurance company to offer your little one the care they deserve.
Will my child need to wear a retainer after treatment?
Yes, retainers are crucial to maintaining the results achieved with orthodontic treatment. We’ll provide detailed instructions on retainer wear and care. Braces and aligners help restructure your child’s smile, but retainers do precisely what their name says – they retain. Retainers preserve all the hard work your child put into their new smile.
Two-Phase Treatment At Brodsky Orthodontics
Not every child needs two-phase orthodontic treatment, but some do. Once you schedule your free consultation and visit our office, Drs. Joel and Charles can tell you more. Every child is different, so that every treatment plan will be customized accordingly. Visit Brodsky Orthodontics and see what everyone in Lakewood is talking about!