Two-Phase Treatment in Reston, VA

Two-phase treatment is when orthodontic treatment is done at two different times, often to take advantage of predictable stages of dental development and physical growth. This method aims to address both the developmental and permanent aspects of dental alignment, optimizing the function and aesthetics of a patient's smile from an early age through to adulthood.

Phase One

The first phase is usually done when a patient is seven to nine years old, where there is a mix of baby and adult teeth, and there is a specific problem that Dr. Kim decides would be better to treat at an earlier age rather than waiting.

The goal during this phase is to address significant developmental issues that could impact the alignment of the teeth and jaws later on. During this phase, a variety of appliances might be used, such as palatal expanders, partial braces, or other specialized devices such as a facemask to correct specific issues.

Resting Period

After the first phase, there is usually a resting period where the remaining permanent teeth are allowed to erupt naturally. During this time, children typically do not wear any appliances except a retainer, though they are monitored regularly to ensure that development is proceeding as planned.

Phase Two

The second phase is more comprehensive and begins when once most of the permanent teeth have come in, typically between the ages of 11 and 14. The focus during this phase is on final tooth and bite alignment, and achieving optimal dental and facial aesthetics.

Advantages of Two-Phase Treatment

• It may reduce the need to extract permanent teeth in the future.
• Some problems can be treated well in a growing child but may require surgery if treatment occurs after growth ends.
• It can intervene in bad habits such as thumb sucking or abnormal swallowing, which can lead to other future problems (which are often more difficult to treat).
• It can save permanent teeth from being damaged, such as ectopically permanent canines causing root resorption of the roots of neighboring permanent teeth.
• It can reduce the amount of trauma when a child's upper front teeth are flared and sticking out, which reduces the risk of those teeth being broken or knocked out when a child falls or is hit with an object.

If you think your child might benefit from two-phase orthodontic treatment, schedule an appointment at our Reston orthodontic office so Dr. Kim can evaluate the best course of action for a healthy, beautiful smile.