Two Phase Treatment vs Comprehensive Treatment
Most orthodontic patients will only receive comprehensive orthodontic treatment. In other words, you will only have orthodontic treatment once to correct any bite issues and achieve your beautiful, confident smile. The result is meant to last for a lifetime. It is actually quite amazing that the investment in orthodontic care is intended to last for the rest your life, unlike so many other things in this life that we invest in. Orthodontic treatment is a sound and lasting investment.
However, there are instances in which two-phase treatment is recommended for very young orthodontic patients. Two-phase treatment involves a Phase One treatment and a Phase Two treatment. Read on to learn more about two-phase treatment and when it is appropriate.
Phase One Treatment
Phase One treatment involves orthodontic treatment for young children, generally seven to ten years of age, with a combination of permanent teeth and baby teeth. For most young patients, who present with baby teeth, Phase One treatment is not necessary and, therefore, Dr. Adams sees them every six months or every 12 months to monitor their growth and development until all the permanent teeth have erupted. Then, at that time, orthodontic treatment needs are assessed for possible comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Adams only recommends Phase One treatment for patients with crossbite issues. Crossbites will lead to abnormal wear of the teeth, bone loss, and gum recession if allowed to remain over time. This is why Dr. Adams treats crossbites at an early age to prevent such negative consequences.
A crossbite exists when the top teeth have erupted behind the bottom teeth. This can happen with the front teeth or back teeth or combination of both. A normal bite is when the top teeth slightly erupt over the bottom teeth, not behind.
Treatment may involve a palatal expander and/or limited braces. Both will be explained in more detail under the Treatments Tab/Types of Appliances. If Phase One treatment is needed, Dr. Adams sees that treatment lasts no more than six months to correct any crossbites. Keeping younger patients motivated to see treatment through can be challenging. With Dr. Adams’ decades of experience though, he is able to achieve his treatment goals within six months.
It is also important to achieve Phase One goals within six months so that patients have a substantial break between their Phase One treatment and Phase Two treatment, which commences after all the permanent teeth erupt. If Phase One goes on and on for years with little, if any, break before starting Phase Two, this will lead patient burn out. It will then be very difficult to motivate patients to see to an excellent result with Phase Two treatment.
Phase Two Treatment:
Phase Two treatment involves orthodontic treatment of the permanent dentition only. All permanent teeth have erupted and baby teeth have been lost. Full treatment with braces or aligners (for adults only) is called Phase Two treatment if a patient previously had Phase One treatment.
Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment:
Treatment of all the permanent teeth with braces or aligners (for adults only) in which there was no Phase One treatment is known as Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment or COT.