Is your child complaining of difficulties chewing, talking, or performing oral hygiene? Have you noticed their teeth aren’t growing in the straightest, or that their jaw doesn’t seem to open and close correctly? They might need to come to see us at Heinrichs Orthodontics so they can reap the benefits of two-phase treatment!
Understanding Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase treatment is a specialized orthodontic approach designed to harness children’s growth spurts and developmental stages to correct dental issues more effectively.
Imagine a gardener training a young sapling to grow straight with the help of stakes and ties. Similarly, two-phase treatment involves using orthodontic appliances at strategic times to guide the development of a child’s jaw and teeth. The goal is to create a better environment for the permanent teeth to emerge and to address any skeletal imbalances in the jaw.
This proactive approach can prevent more complex dental issues down the road, such as severe misalignment or bite problems that might require more invasive interventions. By intervening at the right moment while the patient is young, orthodontists can often reduce or eliminate the need for tooth extractions or surgery. In short, the two-phase treatment sets the stage for a healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing smile that will last a lifetime.
Phase 1: Setting The Stage For Success
The journey to a perfect smile often begins long before the last baby tooth has said goodbye—phase one can start as young as seven years old! During this initial phase, the focus is on the jaw’s development, position, and how it harmoniously accommodates a complete set of permanent teeth.
Think of this phase as the blueprint phase. It’s where Dr. Heinrichs and his team assess and influence your child’s jaw growth to guarantee enough room for future teeth and correct any disharmony between the upper and lower jaws. This early intervention can minimize or prevent potential problems like overcrowding. It’s a proactive approach that can lead to a more straightforward phase two, where the focus shifts to improving the alignment of the teeth.
The Resting Period
Before children begin phase two, however, they must first patiently wait out a resting period. During this time, the rest of the permanent teeth are free to emerge without the hindrance of orthodontic appliances.
This pause in treatment is far from a standstill. It’s a critical observation window for Dr. Heinrichs, who monitors the emerging teeth and jaw development, to plan for the final alignment.
Phase 2: The Finishing Touches
When you think of orthodontic work, you likely think of teens in braces. That’s phase two! After your child has grown up a bit and got all (or most) of their adult teeth, we’ll begin the second phase of treatment.
In phase two, Dr. Heinrichs gives your child braces or Invisalign clear aligners to guide their teeth into ideal positions. It’s a meticulous process, leveraging the preparatory work done in phase one to create a functional bite and a balanced smile.
The braces period is a transformative period that can last, on average, about 24 months, depending on the individual needs of your child’s orthodontic case. While that might sound like forever to many teens, it is really not that long for a lifetime of benefits, including better physical, mental, and oral health.
Who Qualifies For It?
Two-phase treatment is ideal for children who show early signs of jaw discrepancies or dental crowding. The best time to start this treatment is typically between the ages of six and 10, as this is when an orthodontist can influence the jaw’s growth and make room for emerging teeth.
Most children do not need phase one treatment and can skip straight to phase two when they are old enough. However, early evaluations are crucial to know for sure. Usually, those who qualify for two-phase treatment have more complex needs that will only worsen if left untreated.
Is Two-Phase Treatment Double The Cost?
It’s a common concern that two-phase treatment might be more expensive because it involves two separate phases. However, this isn’t always the case. The total cost of two-phase treatment is often comparable to or only slightly higher than that of traditional treatment plans, especially considering the more expensive and time-consuming procedures you could avoid because of orthodontics!
If you are still unsure about finances, our office offers various payment plans and options to ensure that financial considerations do not stand in the way of your child’s healthy smile.
Discover If And How Two-Phase Treatment Could Benefit Your Child With Heinrichs Orthodontics!
Want to find out if your child is a candidate for orthodontic care? Contact Heinrichs Orthodontics in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! With our expertise and commitment to personalized care, we make certain that every young smile we shape stands out for all the right reasons. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Heinrichs today to give your child the gift of a lifetime—a radiant, confident, and healthy smile.
