Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that addresses muscular and skeletal facial changes. It provides for better facial harmony.

With the emphasis today being on living longer, staying healthy, and looking attractive, patients require optimum treatment results. A two-phase treatment maximizes the ability to achieve a more healthy, functional and aesthetic result.

First Phase Treatment or Early Treatment

Orthodontists should begin to monitor patients by the age of 7. Not all children receive a First Phase Treatment; however, children may exhibit early signs of jaw growth discrepancies very early on.

The goal of first phase treatment is to develop the jaw size in order to make room for all the permanent teeth to erupt, and to correct jaw growth discrepancies. Because they are growing rapidly at this young age, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that encourage the proper growth of the upper and lower jaws with minimal force and discomfort.

An upper or lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough can be recognized at an early age. If children after age six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment.

Benefits of Early Treatment

1. By expanding the arch width while children are growing, the need for future extractions of permanent teeth is lessened.
2. Encouraging the jaw growth with appliances prevents possible jaw surgery during braces.
3. Permanent teeth that are jammed in and pushing on other teeth to erupt can cause the nature loss of neighboring teeth if unaddressed. Early treatment can identify the impaction before damage begins.
4. Appliances used during early treatment are mostly passive appliances that guide growth, instead of applying extreme force to accomplish the movements needed.
5. Patients who had Phase 1 have a significantly shorter period in braces later on, because the big movements have already been completed.

A successful first phase will create room for teeth to erupt properly, keeping them from becoming impacted or severely displaced.

Resting Period

After the major movements have been accomplished, patients are monitored while the remaining permanent teeth are allowed to erupt. During this phase, patients either continue to wear their appliances just during the night, or retainers are made, to maintain the corrected position.

Appliances will be adjusted periodically to help guide new erupting teeth into a better position. Erupting teeth will still grow in a little rotation or misaligned, but the jaws are the correct size and position.

Phase 2 will correct all of the rotated misaligned teeth to perfection. The length of the resting period depends on a child’s growth and eruption pattern. It typically ranges from a few months to several years when all of the permanent teeth have erupted. During the observation appointments when the appliances are adjusted, Dr. Hirsh will be able to gauge at what time patients are ready for their second phase of treatment.

Second Phase Treatment

The second phase is initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted and usually requires braces on all teeth for a short period of time. The length of the braces treatment will vary depending on how rotated the teeth erupt and most importantly how well the patient complied during the first phase.

The purpose of the second phase is to place each tooth into its exact location in the mouth. When the teeth are in their proper location, the teeth will function together properly, make it easier to keep clean and healthy, and give you a smile that exudes beauty and confidence. Once the braces are finished, retainers are worn to maintain the great, new smile.