Two-Phase Treatment is an orthodontic treatment plan for children who need teeth and jaw alignment. As the name suggests, the treatment happens in stages. The first stage occurs when your child is younger and has some baby teeth. The second stage occurs years later when your child has most or all of their baby teeth. In between the stages is a rest period.
Two-Phase treatment is used to provide preventative care (preventing a potential problem from happening), interceptive care (to interrupt an already in-progress problem), and guidance modification (helping your child’s bones develop correctly).
What Are The Benefits Of Two-Phase Treatment?
Though you and your child might be intimidated by orthodontic treatment, we’re happy to announce that working past that fear is well worth it! Two-Phase Treatment has many benefits for your child!
- Orthodontic work in children is often easier to conduct in children than in adults. Because the bones and ligaments in children are still developing, it is easier to encourage movement in the jaw and teeth.
- Orthodontic work in children can also be less invasive because their bones are not fully formed. For example, imagine you and your child have the same orthodontic problem. To address the issue, your child could undergo simple treatment, such as braces. On the other hand, you could need more complex treatments like pulling teeth, cosmetic surgery, corrective jaw surgery, or other invasive procedures for the same problem.
- An improper alignment from malocclusion or incorrect jaw alignment can make it difficult for your child to bite into and chew food. If they cannot chew their food properly, they have an increased risk of choking on large clumps of food. If they have pain or trouble moving their jaw to eat, or fear choking, they could begin to feel negative emotions about eating. Over time, this could cause digestive issues and vitamin deficiency. An aligned jaw can make mealtime more inviting and pleasant and help you encourage healthy eating habits.
- Poor jaw alignment can make communicating challenging due to a mislaid tongue or pain in the TMJ joint. It can also cause narrow air passageways, making breathing difficult and leading to sleep disorders or mouth breathing.
- Malocclusion and incorrect jaw alignment can make oral hygiene daunting, frustrating, and even painful. If your child’s routine creates negative feelings, they might be less motivated to develop healthy, consistent habits. Poor oral hygiene could lead to complex and uncomfortable problems later in life. An easier brushing and flossing routine improves your child’s attitude toward oral hygiene and improve their feelings toward dental care.
- Poor teeth and jaw alignments can lead to grinding and abnormal wear and tear on the teeth. This friction can weaken the enamel and leave the teeth vulnerable to bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay, sensitivity, and gum disease. If the teeth become weak enough, they can also chip! Teeth and jaws that protrude are also more likely to experience physical trauma. Improving your child’s alignment protects their teeth from internal and external damage.
- Children might smile, laugh, or talk less to reduce discomfort caused by moving the jaw, gum disease, or tooth sensitivity. Pain can also cause poor sleep, which can affect daily brain function. This physical and emotional distress can lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety from low self-esteem and isolation. Two-Phase Treatment could reduce physical and mental pain by changing facial structure and improving oral hygiene.
- Because orthodontic work in children is usually more straightforward, it is less expensive than orthodontic work in adults. Two-Phase Treatment can save you and your family money that you can use towards other things, like buying your child the horse they’ve always wanted!
- And more!
All of these symptoms could injure your child’s mental, physical, and oral health. Treatment should be started sooner rather than later for ease of treatment and minimal side effects. In fact, most orthodontists agree that your child should see an orthodontist by age seven.
To Learn If Your Child Qualifies For Treatment, Visit Us At Griffin & Errera Orthodontics!
Navigating orthodontics can be confusing, especially if it is your and your family’s first time. However, with the help of Griffin & Errera Orthodontics, your child’s orthodontic experience can be enjoyable and stress-free.
To discover if your child is a candidate for orthodontic care, contact one of our conveniently located offices to schedule your free consultation!
We can’t wait to meet your family and watch their smile transform and confidence increase.