Two-Phase Treatment
What is two-phase treatment?
Two-phase treatment is a specialized orthodontic process that combines teeth straightening with facial and jaw changes. There are advantages to a two-phase treatment! With a two-phase treatment, Dr. Hilgers has the ability to correct the growth of your child’s upper and lower jaws giving the adult teeth enough room to come in straight, preventing any permanent tooth extractions later on.
Two-phase treatment creates a healthy, functional, aesthetic smile for your child that will remain stable throughout their life.
Why does my child need a two-phase treatment?
Dr. Hilgers will determine if two-phase treatment is necessary by taking an X-ray of your child’s mouth and jaw.
Your child may need two-phase orthodontics if:
- Their baby teeth are crowded or crooked
- They have problems biting down, usually caused by an overbite or an under bite
- The jaw is not properly aligned
The first phase of treatment is for:
- Prevention - to prevent current problems from getting worse
- Interception - to intercept and correct current problems
- Modification - to modify the growth and structure of the jaw
Resting period - the resting period occurs between phase-one and phase-two, giving your child’s remaining permanent teeth time to come in. During the resting period, Dr. Hilgers will be able to observe the placement of your child’s permanent teeth in order to create a plan for phase-two.
The second phase of treatment is for:
- Movement - once the permanent teeth come in, phase two treatment begins in order to move them to the right position. During this phase your child may be required to wear braces for anywhere from nine months to 24 months.
- Retention - after the completion of phase-two, your child may be required to wear a retainer in order to retain their new smile!
Can my child wait until all their permanent teeth come in before getting orthodontic treatment?
This is a common question that many parents have; whether or not they can “put-off” orthodontic treatment for their child until all of the permanent teeth have come in. The disadvantage to waiting is that once your child’s permanent teeth are in place it can be more difficult to correct any problems without surgery or extracting teeth.
With early treatment the chances of your child needing oral surgery, or extractions, to correct any jaw discrepancies is less likely, and will help make their jaw stronger and more stable in the future.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hilgers to discuss your child’s orthodontic treatment, please contact us at (623) 935-3908 or email us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!
