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Phase-I - Early Treatment (Interceptive)
First Phase or interceptive treatment usually begins between the ages of 7 to 9, when the permanent molars have erupted and the bite is established. At this stage, permanent front teeth are beginning to erupt or are already in place. It usually takes 6 months to complete Phase-I for a minor problem and about 12 to 18 months for more severe problems.
In Phase-I the dental arches may be expanded to provide room for erupting permanent teeth. Sometimes functional appliances and/or a face mask may be worn to redirect growth. Braces may be placed on the upper, and occasionally on the lower, front teeth. Appliances may be constructed to discontinue harmful oral habits and allow the jaw to grow without adverse forces in play.
Once the goals of this phase are met, the appliances and braces are removed and retainers are constructed. Colorful choices for retainers are available (sparkles, watermelon, rainbows) along with other designs which makes this period a more pleasant experience.
Maintenance Phase
Dr. Pourami monitors your child every six months to ensure the result of Phase-I treatment is well maintained and will monitor the eruption of the remaining permanent teeth. She will determine the optimum time to begin Phase-II if needed.
Phase II – Second Phase (If required)
At the age of 12 to 14 when all permanent teeth erupt, new problems may develop. Therefore, we can put braces on all the teeth. The goal for Phase-II is to align the remaining permanent teeth and to obtain ideal function and stability by correcting the bite. This phase normally takes between 12 to 18 months.
Orthodontic Treatment for Children
Before Treatment
End of Phase-I
End of Phase-II
Case 1: Two-Phase Treatment, Protrusion (9 years old)
Before Treatment
End of Phase-I
End of Phase-II
Advantages of a Two Phase Treatment
- Prevents or minimizes the necessity for dental extractions in phase two.
- By monitoring the growth of the jaw, certain jaw relation problems can be treated without the necessity for jaw surgery.
- In some cases two phase treatment achieves a beautiful result which could not have been possible once the face and jaw are no longer growing.
Benefits of Early Treatment
- Inhibits the harmful habits that interfere with normal development of dental arches
- Harmonized the width of dental arches for normal eruption of permanent teeth.
- Improves the eruption pattern and reduces the likelihood of impaction of permanent teeth.
- Provides a lower risk of trauma to the upper front teeth.
- Improves the ability to chew food properly thus preventing indigestion.
- Improves speech
- Improves esthetics and thus improves self-esteem of children
- Frequently makes completion of treatment at a later age less complicated, less time consuming and less expensive.
Case 2: Two-Phase Treatment, Openbite (6 years old)
Case 3: Two-Phase Treatment, Underbite (5 years old)
Before Treatment
End of Phase-I
Four Years Later
