Orthodontic treatment is essential for children as much as it is useful for adults. Why so? Because early orthodontic treatment helps to treat tooth misalignment issues at an early age, which would have required extensive treatment to fix. There are two phases of orthodontic treatment. The first one is known as phase one treatment which can help your child’s jaw develop better in preparation for permanent teeth.
On the other hand, the second treatment is known as the two-phase treatment. So, we will focus on a two-phase treatment, explain what it is, and at what age the treatment is recommended. So, let’s get into it.
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is usually recommended when a child’s permanent teeth are fully erupted. It is in this phase where braces are installed on the upper or lower teeth. Then, the treatment focuses on ameliorating misaligned teeth, correcting underbite and overbite problems, and correcting spaces.
This orthodontic treatment starts around the age of 11 or 12 and last for around 12-20 months. However, you should note that every patient is unique, and therefore, the treatment period may be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the oral problem.
You might be debating whether you should take your child for two-phase orthodontic treatment in Houston, TX. Here are signs that your child needs this type of treatment:
It is imperative to note that the focus of two-phase orthodontic treatment is to ensure that each tooth has sufficient space in the mouth without affecting your comfort. The only way to do so is by using upper and lower braces.
First, it is advisable to take your baby to the dentist in Houston when their first tooth comes out. The reason is that: the dentist will examine your child’s tooth and oral cavity, and if there’s any oral problem, it can be fixed at this early stage.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it is essential to understand that phase 2 treatment is not always necessary. However, the dentist near you may recommend phase 2 treatment to correct issues like teeth that haven’t erupted and bite correction of having too few or too many teeth.
During this type of treatment, you will go through a consultation with an orthodontist so that they can provide recommendations. Depending on the oral problem, the orthodontist will suggest braces to align and move teeth. After treatment with braces, a removable retainer is recommended to ensure that teeth don’t shift back to their original position.
Phase 2 treatment with braces is suitable for children aged 11 to 12 years. This is because the treatment will position all your kid’s permanent teeth and set them up with a healthy and attractive smile. Additionally, teeth are aligned at this age for stability and function with braces. Missing teeth are also replaced during this stage, and teeth that fail to erupt or are out of position are removed or brought down into the dental arch.
There is no “one size fits all” solution to oral problems: orthodontic ones included. Therefore, what may be effective for one child may be different for another. Consequently, it is essential to find an experienced dentist, like the one in Oasis Modern Dentistry, to customize a treatment plan for your kid according to their needs. We focus on providing the highest quality orthodontic treatment to our patients; therefore, rest assured that we will offer the same to your child. So, contact us today, and we will be ready to restore your child’s self-confidence by fixing their teeth for a healthy, happy smile.