Orthodontist Rancho Cucamonga, Dr Robert Stockdale

 Two-Phase Treatment

 

What is the advantage of Two-Phase

orthodontic treatment?

Two-Phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines tooth

straightening and physical facial changes. The purpose of Two-Phase treatment

is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish an ideal healthy, functional, and

aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

What if I put off treatment?

 

Putting off treatment can result in the need for more invasive procedures, which

may not completely fix your smile later in life. Early treatment is most effective for

achieving lasting results.

Phase One

 

Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles

 

The goal of Phase-One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can avoid the need to extract permanent teeth later.

 

• Planning now can save your smile later

 

    Children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.

 

• Making records to determine your unique treatment

 

    Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial consultation, your doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

 

Resting period

 

In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path; otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced.

 

• Monitoring your teeth’s progress

 

    At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a six-month basis.

 

Phase Two

 

Stay healthy and look attractive

 

The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase-Two treatment usually involves full upper and lower braces.

 

At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used to correct and realign the teeth and jaw in the first phase. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and it usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.