6 Facts Parents Should Know About Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment
A child does not have to have all of their permanent teeth for Dr. Benjamin Creed, to know that they will eventually need some sort of orthodontic treatment. There are a lot of problems that can go wrong with a child’s mouth, and depending on those problems, two-phase treatment might be recommended. What does two-phase treatment mean? All this means is that the child’s treatment will be done at two different times. Usually, this is recommended to allow for physical and development growth between phases. If an orthodontist is recommending two-phase treatment for your child, here are six facts that you should be aware of.
1. Two-phase orthodontic treatment is meant for kids, but that does not mean it is the solution for all kids.
Even though there are a few exceptions, there are many orthodontic issues that only need one phase treatment from a comprehensive orthodontist.
2. What can two-phase orthodontic treatments be used for?
This type of treatment is designed to help the child’s jaw develop in a way that will ensure adequate space for their permanent teeth to come in, especially canine teeth. Here are some more specific issues it can treat:
- Used to tuck in a child’s upper teeth that stick out to prevent them from being knocked out or broken off.
- Used to help normalize the relationship between the lower and upper jaw, and it is extremely useful when the child has an underbite.
- It can help reduce the need of pulling permanent teeth, later on.
- It can assist if a child has abnormal swallowing or has had a prolong sucking habit.
- It can help to correct any damaging pressure that could cause them to move in the wrong direction or that might cause an actual change in the bone shape that is meant to support the teeth.
- It can be an option for children that needed prolonged treatment through growth, but they could need corrective surgery if the treatment is not done until after their growth ends.
3. Baby teeth that move is not a thing that should be done for the sake of their appearance.
During Phase One of orthodontic treatment, it is possible that baby teeth will move. This is to help make plenty of space for their permanent teeth to come in.
4. Phase One in a two-phase treatment plan could occur while the child still has some of their baby teeth.
During phase one, the use of a fixed appliance like braces or some sort of removable appliance could be used, but the type that is used varies between children. At times, baby teeth might need to be removed prematurely to ensure that there is a clear path for the permanent teeth to come in properly.
5. There is always a resting period between the orthodontic treatment phases.
Usually, there is a small time between the two phases of the treatment, which allows the orthodontist to proceed to the second phase with the best option.
6. Usually, phase two of an orthodontic treatment will not begin until the child has most of their permanent teeth.
Phase two of orthodontic treatment is designed to help ensure that teeth are in the right place that promotes a healthy bite, pleasing appearance, and good function.
To allow your child to have the best change at a beautiful and healthy smile, it is important to follow the recommendations of the American Association of Orthodontists’ (AAO). They recommend that all children meet with an orthodontist by the age of 7, because by this point, the orthodontist should be able to recognize if a problem is there. This will give them time to develop the best treatment and monitor their growth for the best option.
Please visit Dr. Creed’s Orthodontic practice in Cypress, Texas, where initial consultations are always complimentary.