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At Bronsky Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a healthy bite and a smile they feel proud to show off. As a leading orthodontics practice in Manhattan, we’re proud to treat patients of all ages – and sometimes that treatment best serves patients during two distinct time periods during growth and development. This is called Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment, and it’s a highly effective way to achieve a healthy and beautiful new smile for growing patients.
In the previous generation of orthodontics, it was common to use a single period of treatment with braces to fix just about any orthodontic problem. For some people, this results in optimal results, but it isn’t right for all patients. In many cases, the problems we need to correct are actually structural issues with the underlying bones supporting the teeth, and correcting these problems won’t work well when utilizing braces alone. That’s why orthodontists have developed a Two-Phase Treatment approach.
Two-Phase Treatment is an orthodontic strategy that involves using two separate periods of orthodontic treatment: one during the preadolescent growth phases (Phase I) and one during the adolescent growth phase (Phase II).
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Phase I treatment allows us to use the “engine of natural growth” to modify the positions of the underlying jaw bone structures while creating space for permanent teeth to erupt naturally during growth. Ages for Phase I treatment can range from 8 to 12 years old.
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Phase II treatment is undertaken at the beginning of the adolescent growth spurt when all root structures have completed their development and the patient is “taxiing for takeoff” prior to their adolescent growth spurt. Both braces and clear aligner appliances (Invisalign®) are utilized (depending upon the patient’s preference) to optimize the position of the teeth in the jawbones while creating the most healthy and functional bite possible for the long term. Effective engineering of these two phases will enhance the quality and stability of the orthodontic result. Approximate age for Phase II treatment is usually 12 years and up.
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Each child’s needs are unique. For some, it’s best to begin treatment before all of the permanent teeth have come in, as with Phase I Interceptive treatment. For others, it makes more sense to wait until all the permanent teeth have erupted and/or the patient has attained a certain level of growth and development. Either way, we’re always striving to make our patients—at any age or level of development—“the best versions of themselves”.
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Two-Phase Treatment comes with a number of advantages for patients that need it:
Greatly reduced incidence of treatment requiring extraction of primary or permanent teeth.
Reduced treatment time in Phase II treatment as a great deal of the potentially difficult tooth movements are handled via favorable modification of the patient’s growth.
Enormous increase in the long-term stability of the final results as the structural foundations have been established via favorable growth modification.
Improved bite function secondary to coordinating the jaw bone structures to more ideally position the teeth.
Superlative esthetics of the smile due to both the enhanced jaw positioning and tooth alignment.
Two-Phase Treatment is a powerful method for helping kids achieve a healthy smile. If you think your child may benefit from Two-Phase Treatment, we’d love to speak with you. Contact us today to learn more about Two-Phase Treatment or feel free to request a consultation online to get started right away!