Understanding Phase I Orthodontic Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Phase I Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase I orthodontic treatment, also known as early interceptive treatment, is an orthodontic approach aimed at addressing dental and skeletal issues in children at an early age who still have baby teeth, typically between the ages of 7 and 10. Unlike comprehensive orthodontic treatment in teens and adults who have all of their adult teeth and focuses on aligning all teeth and correcting bite issues, Phase I treatment aims to intervene early to guide proper growth and development of the jaws and teeth.
Who Needs Phase I Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase I orthodontic treatment is recommended for children who still have baby teeth and exhibit certain orthodontic issues that may worsen over time if left untreated. These issues may include:
· Severe crowding or spacing
· Crossbites
· Underbites or overbites
· Skeletal discrepancies
· Early loss of primary teeth
· Habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting
Identifying and addressing these issues early can prevent more serious problems from developing later on and may simplify comprehensive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Only about 10% of the population has these issues and can benefit from early intervention with Phase I treatment. Unfortunately, there are some offices out there that do recommend phase I orthodontic treatment when it is not necessary. At Life Orthodontics, we are proud to say that we are conservative with phase I treatment where we only will recommend it if it is absolutely necessary since we always want to do the right thing for our patients.
Treatments Involved with Phase I Orthodontics
Phase I orthodontic treatment may involve a variety of interventions, depending on the specific needs of the child. Common treatments may include:
· Expansion of the upper jaw to correct crossbites or create space for crowded teeth with a palatal expander
· Early intervention with partial braces to guide the eruption of permanent teeth into proper alignment
· Correction of skeletal discrepancies, such as an underbite, through the use of appliances such as reverse pull headgear or palatal expanders
· Addressing harmful habits, such as thumb sucking with a tongue crib, that can affect dental and facial development
What Happens After Phase I Orthodontics?
After completing Phase I orthodontic treatment, children typically enter a temporary retention period where they will wear a retainer to maintain the results achieved during Phase I treatment while waiting for the remaining adult teeth to erupt. Once all of the adult teeth have erupted, usually around the age of 12, they typically require a Phase II orthodontic treatment, which focuses on straightening the newly erupted adult teeth and fine-tuning the bite.
The Phase I Difference with Life Orthodontics
At Life Orthodontics, we are sensitive to and care about our patients’ time and money, so we approach Phase I orthodontic treatment with a commitment to conservative and patient-centered care. We believe in intervening early only when absolutely necessary to address significant issues that may impact a child's oral health and overall well-being.
To demonstrate our dedication to our patients' long-term care, we offer a unique Phase I difference. For every patient who undergoes Phase I treatment at our practice, we provide a credit of 40% back into their Phase II treatment. For example, if a family invests $3,000 in Phase I treatment, they will receive a $1,200 credit towards their Phase II treatment. This not only makes Phase I treatment more affordable for families but also incentivizes proactive care. Furthermore, by addressing orthodontic issues early with Phase I treatment, we often are able to reduce the overall treatment time required for Phase II, leading to additional savings for our patients on top of our 40% credit back. Our approach to phase I proves again that at Life Orthodontics how much we care about our patients which is what we believe to be the measuring stick for who the best orthodontists are.
In conclusion, Phase I orthodontic treatment plays a crucial role in guiding proper growth and development in children, and at Life Orthodontics, we are proud to offer personalized and conservative care that puts our patients' needs first. If you believe your child may benefit from Phase I orthodontic treatment, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced team. We serve patients from all around Orange County: Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, and more!
