What Is Phase I (Interceptive) And Phase II (Comprehensive) Treatment?
Phase I, or Interceptive Treatment, usually starts while the child has most of his
or her baby teeth and a few of his or her permanent front incisors. This stage in
development is usually between the ages of seven and nine. The goal of Phase I treatment
is to intercept a moderate or severe orthodontic problem early in order to reduce
or eliminate it. These problems include skeletal discrepancies, cross bites, and
severe crowding.
Phase I treatment takes advantage of the early growth spurt and turns a difficult
orthodontic problem into a more manageable one. This often helps reduce the need
for extraction or surgery and delivers better long-term stability. Most Phase I
patients require a second phase of treatment in order to achieve an ideal final
bite.
Phase II treatment usually occurs a number of years later. Usually, we are waiting
for the remaining permanent teeth to erupt, including second molars, before Phase
II begins. This most commonly occurs at the age of 12 or 13. The goal of Phase II
treatment is to achieve an ideal bite with all of the permanent teeth.
Does Everyone Need A Phase I Treatment?
Not every child needs a Phase I treatment. Only some children with certain bites
require early intervention. All others can wait until most, if not all, of their
permanent teeth erupt. However, it is still important that every child be evaluated
by age seven.
What Is The Duration Of Orthodontic Treatment?
Most patients are in braces for 6-24 months. Treatment time depends on the development
of the dentition, the severity of the problem, patient cooperation, and the degree
of tooth movement required. In rare instances, usually due to a very difficult case
or a non-compliant patient, the treatment may take longer than 24 months.
What Is The Difference Between Extraction And Non-Extraction Therapies?
Each treatment is a way to address crowding of the teeth. Extraction therapy is
a technique where one or more permanent teeth are removed to make room for the other
teeth in the mouth. This is in contrast to non-extraction therapy where one expands
a patient’s jaw and/or adjusts the size and shape of some teeth to make them fit
within the jaw. Our office’s treatment philosophy is very conservative, and we do
make every effort to avoid extraction. However, for severe crowding and severe jaw
discrepancy, the extraction approach may be required.
Is Orthodontic Care Expensive?
When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often
less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that
can develop years later. Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other
consumer products. Financing is usually available, and many payment programs that
will be offered to you will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now
include orthodontics.
Encourage your kids to use a mouth guard during sports, which can prevent serious
dental injuries.
We at Gainesville Dental Arts in Gainesville know when to refer you to a different
type of specialist, such as an orthodontist for correction of teeth irregularities
or an oral surgeon for jaw realignment.
Please consult Dr. Kaur if your child has irregular teeth. Call 703-743-2324 for
an appointment and visit us at Gainesville Dental Arts in Gainesville.