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Two-Phase Treatment | Surgical Orthodontics

Two-Phase Treatment

Phase I While in treatment at our office, it is our goal to create a warm and friendly atmosphere where patients feel comfortable with their treatment. Many people undergo orthodontic treatment to feel better about their smiles. We want your orthodontic treatment to be part of creating a healthier and happier you! Our Philosophy: “The right treatment at the right time" The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing each child by the age of 7 (after the first permanent molars erupt) to check for specific orthodontic conditions where early treatment would be beneficial to help establish a better environment for the growing mouth. Like many orthodontists, we will occasionally use a two-phase treatment approach. When early treatment is indicated, we prefer that it be limited to address specific problems. After those problems are corrected, braces will be removed and the patient will then enter an intermediate retention phase. After the permanent teeth erupt, usually a second shorter phase of orthodontic treatment is needed to complete treatment. We will ONLY do a phase one when it is clearly beneficial from a growth or dental standpoint. If we can get the same result by doing the braces once, then we will recommend waiting until the time is right. Less time in braces means fewer visits, fewer issues with keeping teeth clean, and a better, healthier process overall! What to Expect The goal of first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth and to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. Children sometimes exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper and lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age 6 are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Benefits Because they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment. By using appliances that make more room for otherwise crowded teeth or teeth growing in the wrong direction, Dr. Melanie is able to quickly and effectively solve problems that would take much longer to fix in older children and adults. In this way, a good foundation is established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth. This early correction will prevent later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and/or surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Leaving such a condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a jaw discrepancy too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces. Resting Period In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are allowed to erupt. Retaining devices are not usually recommended since they may interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement while final eruption of teeth occurs. A successful first phase will have created room for teeth to find an ideal path. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced. Phase II Although the braces come off after 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. 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, creating a healthy and beautiful smile. Retention Now that the teeth have been moved into their ideal position, it is enormously important to keep them there. This is accomplished with the help of retainers, which keep your smile looking as beautiful as it did the day your braces came off.

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The orthodontic practice of Dr. Melanie Wang provides quality orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults in San Diego, CA (California). Dr. Melanie Wang specializes in orthodontics, offering Invisalign invisible clear braces and Damon System self-ligating brackets. Contact us to schedule an appointment.