Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth straightening and physical and facial changes to achieve the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic outcome that will remain stable throughout a person's life. This process involves two rounds of orthodontic treatment, with the initial phase helping guide the growth of the jaw and teeth while the child still has primary teeth. An observation phase follows in which the orthodontist monitors the child's dental development for approximately one to three years while waiting for all the primary teeth to fall out. The second phase of treatment with braces is carried out after the child's permanent teeth have come out. My recommendation is phase I interceptive orthodontic treatment with extraction of the remaining primary cusps C, H and M and partial fixed appliances on the upper and lower teeth.
When you see a young child wearing dental appliances or braces, they'll likely have a two-phase orthodontic treatment plan. When you choose an American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be sure that you have selected a true orthodontist. Once bones become firm, it's too late to remodel them through orthodontic procedures and invasive surgery will be required. For children who have completed a two-phase treatment process, this phase usually begins when they are around 11 or 12 years old and is likely to last between one and two years. Most orthodontic problems can be treated in a comprehensive treatment phase, however, there are some exceptions.
At the start of treatment, an orthodontic record will be taken of your child to determine if early care is needed. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children visit the orthodontist before age 7.Perhaps the most dramatic change in my office philosophy since obtaining my orthodontic certification in 1999 has been my stance on early phase I interceptive treatment for patients with mixed dentition. If an orthodontic problem is developing, the orthodontist will be able to monitor growth and development so that your child can receive the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time. While orthodontic treatment used to begin in adolescence, it's becoming increasingly common in younger children.
Younger patients can be more cooperative and follow the orthodontist's instructions on the use of braces and oral hygiene. Orthodontic Practice US is a leading dental journal that publishes continuing education materials, case studies, and more related to orthodontics. It is important for parents to understand that two-phase orthodontic treatment can maximize their child's chance of achieving an ideal outcome that will remain stable throughout their life.
