Benefits



Two Phase Orthodontic Therapy - Interceptive Orthodontics

The idea behind interceptive or early treatment is to do an early phase of treatment (Phase I).This usually occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 for 12 to 18 months to help prevent and minimize future problems. After this Phase I treatment is completed, a holding or waiting phase is observed to allow all the remaining teeth to erupt. Once all permanent teeth have erupted around age 12, a determination is made if a Phase II (braces) is recommended to finalize the smile and bite.

Benefits Of Interceptive Treatment

For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:

• influence jaw growth in a positive manner and simplify and/or shorten treatment for later corrective orthodontics
• lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors and reduce need for extraction of permanent teeth
• preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth and reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• reduce need for future jaw growth and improve aesthetics and self-esteem

Early orthodontic screening can lead to simpler, more effective treatment for dental patients or, at least, greater peace of mind.

Time Line of Two Phase Orthodontic Treatment

Age 8		Age 12	Age 18
Phase 1	Rest Phase	Phase 2	Retention