Phases of treatment

Younger children (ages 7-11), who have chewing difficulties or psychological problems due to peer group teasing, may benefit most from a two-phased orthodontic treatment plan. An early interceptive phase may be necessary to correct the more obvious problems, and then the routine problems can be addressed later in a second phase.
The first phase of treatment is accomplished with short term partial braces, or a removable appliance. Specific goals are set for this phase and then all appliances are removed until the patient reaches dental maturity (usually between age 11 and 13). A second phase with full braces is then used to detail the final position of the teeth.

Phase one types of Treatments: Limited objectives which can be treated in one to one & a half years.

• Alignment of severely crowded or severely protrusive teeth. Partial braces in only one arch is common, and time in the braces is limited. Generally, the objective is to correct some major malformation or abnormal eruption pattern, and then hold that position until more growth occurs.
• Habit correction involving fingers, thumbs or tongue thrusting.
• Damon space gainer appliance can be used to expand the arches in order to correct crossbites or make room for crowded out teeth. This is not a screw type appliance, but a particular configuration of partial braces.

Phases of Treatment continued...click here