At your first visit, the doctor will evaluate your orthodontic needs and determine if braces are a good option for you. You will get an estimated timeline for your treatment, an explanation of any additional appliances that may be recommended, and discuss whether comprehensive treatment is possible or if two phases will be required. At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan was established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase to correct and realign the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure your child retains his or her beautiful smile.

Most people can undergo comprehensive orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth and correct bite problems as soon as all of their adult teeth have erupted. For many children, this is between the ages of 11-13. In some cases, the doctor may want to wait to start treatment until facial growth is complete in the later teenage years. In other cases, the doctor may want to start earlier and break treatment into two phases. This will depend on the child’s unique facial growth and development pattern.

A Foundation for a Lifetime of Beautiful Smiles The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need to extract permanent teeth later. Planning now can save your child’s smile later Some children may benefit from early intervention to modify or enhance the natural growth of their jaw bones while they are still developing. In these cases, it is beneficial to break orthodontic treatment into two phases. Early treatment, or phase I, is usually focused on helping the jaws to grow in a balanced way or making enough room for all the adult teeth to erupt correctly before it is time to start comprehensive, or phase II, treatment. Usually, we can tell by the age of 7 if a child would benefit from early Phase I treatment. Making records to determine your child’s unique treatment Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, X-rays, and photographs. During your child’s initial consultation, the doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced. Monitoring the teeth’s progress At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment. Selective removal of certain primary (baby) teeth may be in the best interest of enhancing eruption during this resting phase. Therefore, periodic recall appointments for observation are necessary, usually on a six-month basis.

Stay healthy and look attractive The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase Two usually involves full upper and lower braces. At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan was established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase to correct and realign the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure your child retains his or her beautiful smile.

It is never too late to give yourself the confident smile you have always wanted. We treat many adult patients who never had braces during their younger years and are ready to take the next step in achieving the smile of their dreams. As always, each patient will receive a carefully customized treatment plan for a beautiful, healthy smile that matches your unique facial structure and pays special attention to your individual concerns. Many adults feel self conscious about the possibility of wearing metal braces later in life, and opt for our clear ceramic braces which are virtually invisible.

After your orthodontic treatment, retainers are for life! The doctor will review which types of retainers are appropriate for your individual case and discuss whether fixed or removable retainers would be recommended for you.