Two-Phase Treatment

What is two-phase treatment?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized procedure that involves tooth straightening and physical changes in the face of young patients who don’t yet have their permanent teeth. Dr. Lee accomplishes this orthodontic treatment in two different phases, before and after adult teeth erupt.

Phase 1

During phase 1, Dr. Lee uses limited orthodontic therapies, such as partial braces or expanders, before all the permanent teeth have come in. The goal of treatment is to develop the proper jaw size to accommodate the permanent teeth and correct jaw position.

Children ages six to 10 are good candidates for this treatment as Dr. Lee can successfully correct bad bites early.

Between phase 1 and 2, there is a resting period until all permanent teeth develop fully. Dr. Lee doesn’t usually use orthodontic devices during this time, as they can inhibit the eruption of the adult teeth and cause issues like tooth displacement or impacted teeth.

Phase 2

In phase 2, Dr. Lee uses more comprehensive orthodontic treatments, including full braces, once all the permanent teeth have come in. This phase usually occurs for children between 11-13 years of age, with the goal of ensuring each tooth has a position in the mouth and doesn’t interfere with the cheeks, tongue, lips, or other teeth, creating a perfect bite.

Dr. Lee monitors the progress of each treatment phase carefully. He may need to remove certain baby teeth during this phase to protect your child’s overall oral health.

What is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth is a permanent tooth that doesn’t completely erupt through the gums. While typically occurring with a child’s third set of molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, tooth impaction can happen on any tooth for a number of reasons, including:

• Teeth overcrowding
• Inappropriate jaw size
• Twisting or tilting of teeth

While impacted teeth don’t usually cause issues, there are some situations where the impaction pushes on surrounding teeth, causing a misalignment in the bite.

What are the benefits of two-phase treatment?

The primary advantage of the two-phase treatment is that you won’t delay teeth correction treatments while waiting for permanent teeth to come in. Dr. Lee can design a customized treatment plan to actively prevent future alignment issues with the teeth and jaw while both are still developing.

To schedule a consultation, book online or call Dr. Lee’s office directly. We are happily accepting new patients in the East Bay area, including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.