Oftentimes, a child may benefit from receiving orthodontic treatment at two separate times.
The first phase occurs when the child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, followed by a resting period. The second phase usually starts when most of the adult teeth are present, so they can be moved into alignment.
Two phase treatment may be needed because some problems are easier to correct if found early. The first phase of orthodontic treatment may prevent problems from developing, or intervene when there is already an emergent problem between the two jaws. Intercepting a developing problem is easier to correct during certain stages of development, rather than missing the window of opportunity later on in a child’s dental development. In turn, this may minimize future invasive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Some goals of a two phase treatment may be
-to create proper relationships of the jaws and teeth so they function correctly
-to position the teeth and jaws for more esthetic facial profile
-to ensure a better spatial arrangement for the permanent teeth to erupt into
As always, it is best to have your child seen by a Board Certified Orthodontist, like Dr. Ava Kamenshchik, at age 7.