Two-Phase Treatment

What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process combining tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

We have all seen many children growing up with crooked, misaligned teeth, and an equally large number with braces. What is the reason behind the growing use of braces to straighten children's teeth?

Over time, parents have realized what dentists always knew – it is easier and simpler to treat dental problems in early childhood rather than as adults. The reasons are simple. The response is better, the treatment is quicker and complications are less frequent. Besides, some young patients even like the idea of wearing braces as a "status symbol."

It is for this reason that dentists look at children carefully to determine if interceptive orthodontics is required. Basically, in children, orthodontists identify phase I and phase II treatment. Phase I is interceptive in that a problem that might become serious later is corrected early. Most of these problems are structural in nature and either can't be corrected later on or are much more difficult to correct at a later time.In phase II, the problem is safely handled later, when the

jawbone has matured and adequate permanent teeth have emerged.

Normally orthodontists put off giving braces till the child reaches early teens because the jaw bone is simply not mature enough, and too many changes are yet to occur. However, based on a specific situation, your dentist might recommend placing them earlier.

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