Phase I or Interceptive Treatment usually starts about age 7 to 9, when the child has most of his or her baby teeth and a few permanent front incisors. The goal of Phase I treatment is to intercept moderate or severe orthodontic problems early in order to reduce or eliminate them. These problems include skeletal discrepancies, crossbites, and severe crowding. Phase I treatment takes advantage of the early growth spurt and turns a difficult orthodontic problem into a more manageable one. This often helps reduce the need for extraction or surgery and delivers better long-term stability. Most Phase I patients require a second phase of treatment in order to achieve an ideal final bite.
Phase II treatment usually occurs a number of years later. Usually, we wait for the remaining permanent teeth to erupt, including second molars, before beginning Phase II. This most commonly occurs at the age of 12 or 13. The goal of Phase II treatment is to achieve an ideal bite with all of the permanent teeth.
Not every child needs Phase I treatment. Only some children with certain bites require early intervention. All others can wait until most if not all their permanent teeth erupt. However, it is important that every child be evaluated by age 7.
Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or in rare instances longer. This depends on the development of the dentition, the severity of the problem, the patient's cooperation and the degree of tooth movement required.
Each treatment is a way to address crowding of the teeth. Extraction therapy is a technique in which one or more teeth are removed to make room for the other teeth in the mouth. This is in contrast to non-extraction therapy, in which the patient's jaw is expanded and/or the shape and size of some teeth are adjusted to make them fit within the jaw. The decision to extract teeth during orthodontic treatment is not a simple one. It requires careful analysis of factors such as facial harmony, patient's age, severity of crowding, and health of the gum tissues, just to name a few. Our practice does not subscribe to any one philosophy regarding extractions. As a rule we prefer to not have to extract any teeth. However, if extractions are necessary, we will discuss that with the patient to make sure there is a clear understanding as to the reasons why they may be necessary.
When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later. Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as the costs for many other consumer products. Financing is usually available, and our office offers many payment programs.
3932 24th Street | San Francisco, CA 94114
ph. 415.678.5445 | fax. 415.796.2761