The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children have their first orthodontic consultation by the age of seven and Drs. Robin and Michael Lozman agree. This allows our Lozman Orthodontics team to diagnose many common dental issues before they have a chance to become more serious.
Early orthodontic intervention has been shown to reduce the need for more complex treatment later in life. Two-phase treatment helps you be proactive rather than reactive with your child’s oral health to give them the best chance for a healthy smile. But what exactly is this treatment, and how can it benefit your child? Let’s look at why your child may benefit from two-phase treatment at our Latham office.
What is two-phase orthodontic treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that consists of a child receiving orthodontic treatment at two separate times, with a break in between each phase. It can be important in giving your child the best start for a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. The goals of two-phase treatment are:
- to ensure a working relationship between the teeth and jaws
- to align the teeth, resulting in a straighter smile
- to position the teeth and jaws to correct functional alignment problems
What would qualify a child for two-phase treatment?
Once your orthodontist thoroughly examines your child’s mouth, they may recommend two-phase treatment to help create a better environment for the permanent teeth to erupt. The first phase of treatment may be suggested if:
- your child appears prone to a particular problem that we want to prevent from developing (preventive treatment)
- your child has an emerging problem we want to intercept (interceptive treatment)
- your child needs guidance in the growth of the jaw bones that support the teeth (growth modification)
Timing the first phase of orthodontic treatment according to the natural stages of dental development allows us to take advantage of your child’s growth and development. This head start gives us the most potential to improve and correct any suspected or present orthodontic issues early.
Dr. Lozman can treat many common dental problems relatively easily in a growing child that may require more invasive treatment if addressed later in life. Early treatment can achieve lasting results for some issues and lessen the impact of others. Even so, most patients will require a second phase of treatment to complete the work that is started during phase one.
How does two-phase treatment work?
To fully understand how two-phase treatment works and could benefit your child, it’s important to understand the details of each phase and what goes on in the resting period between them.
Phase one
Phase one treatment is usually initiated to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate your child’s permanent teeth and improve the way their upper and lower jaws fit together.
This treatment method benefits children in several ways, including an improved ability to bite, chew, and digest food more effectively. It can also reduce the risk of damaged teeth due to crowding, misalignment, or malformed jaws. There may even be some unexpected emotional benefits as self-esteem and confidence increase, which is important at any age, particularly in our younger patients!
The second phase of treatment will continue that trend by moving the teeth into their final desired positions, but before starting this phase, your child will have a rest period.
Resting period
A successful first phase of treatment attempts to create room for the remaining permanent teeth to have a clear path to erupt.
Your child should maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine to prevent cavities and tooth decay during this time. When they’re accustomed to caring for their smiles before starting phase two, it’ll be much easier for them to adjust to caring for braces or aligners.
Phase two
During the first phase, Dr. Lozman will establish a diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan for your child. We may have used certain appliances, like braces or clear aligners, to properly align their teeth and jaws.
The second phase is where everything starts to come together! We will normally begin this phase once all of your child’s permanent teeth have erupted. Your child will likely wear braces or clear aligners during this time, and once treatment is complete, retainers will be necessary to ensure their newly straightened smile stays in place.
If you decide to proceed with two-phase treatment once you have discussed it with Dr. Lozman, you can help make the most of it by helping your child:
- follow our recommendations for maintenance and care
- keep their appliances, teeth, and gums clean by encouraging an excellent dental hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing at least twice a day
- keep scheduled appointments with our office so we can closely monitor their progress
- visit their regular dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning
- avoid any foods that can damage their appliance
- maintain a healthy diet
Give your child a lifetime of smiles with Lozman Orthodontics
At Lozman Orthodontics, we do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to smiles. Your smile is unique, so we create customized treatment plans for every patient we see. What is right for one child will not necessarily be right for another, so Drs. Robin and Michael Lozman are dedicated to finding the best fit for your child’s unique smile.
Our expert team takes pride in providing quality care to all the families we serve in Latham and the surrounding areas. If you want to learn more about two-phase orthodontic treatment and how it could improve your child’s oral health, contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Robin or Dr. Michael Lozman. We’ll help you discover your child’s best and brightest smile!