Two-Phase Treatment
Seeing patients by age seven, Dr Lupi can screen for potential problems such as underbites, overbites, crossbites, excessive protrusion, excessive crowding, jaw shifting, thumb habits, and disproportionate growth of the jaws. In situations such as these, a Two-Phase treatment plan may be recommended in order to achieve ideal results.
What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that takes advantage of early development to guide jaw growth and/or tooth eruption that cannot easily be accomplished once all the permanent teeth have erupted. Because they are growing rapidly, children can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic treatment utilizing appliances that direct the growth relationship of the upper and lower jaws. Thus, a good foundation can be established, providing adequate room for eruption of all permanent teeth and reduce the difficulty and sometimes the length of time needed to finalize the ideal bite which occurs in the Second Phase of treatment.
What if I put off treatment?
This early correction may 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 situations too severe to achieve an ideal result with braces alone.
Diagnostic Records to determine your unique treatment
Diagnostic Records may consist of making study models of the teeth, x-rays, and photographs. The type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the best way to retain the correct result is determined when Dr. Lupi reviews these records.
First Phase Treatment: Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful teeth
In a First Phase of orthodontic treatment, the immediate preventative concerns are addressed with the knowledge that once all of the permanent teeth have erupted or a patient's growth spurt has begun, a Second Phase may be indicated to address the completion of the orthodontic treatment.
Recall / Resting Phase
At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth may not be in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the Second Phase of treatment. During the Recall Phase we will be monitoring your child’s growth as the permanent teeth erupt to ensure the teeth are erupting as expected. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase.
Phase Two Treatment
Once the permanent teeth are in or an active growth spurt is occuring, the patient may be ready for the Second Phase of orthodontic treatment. The goal of the Second Phase is to ensure that each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this balance is established, the teeth will function together properly and be less likely to shift. Braces are usually needed for an average of 24 months in this phase. Retainers are worn after braces are removed in order to ensure you retain a beautiful smile.