It is sometimes beneficial for patients to begin orthodontic treatment at an early age, while they still have their primary teeth. This is referred to as Phase One or early interceptive orthodontic treatment. This type of treatment is often recommended to patients who have severe malocclusions or facial irregularities. Drs. Mattingly and Howell will work with each patient individually to determine when and if early interceptive treatment is necessary to achieve optimum results.
Generally, the goals for Phase One Treatment include:
- Improving the relationship between the upper and lower jaws
- Creating ample space for the incoming permanent teeth
- Correcting crossbites
Since children are still growing, early interceptive treatment allows us to guide the growth of your child’s jaws using specially designed orthopedic appliances. This will not only improve the bite, but will enhance the facial profile as well.
We anticipate that severe cases will require two phases of orthodontic treatment. This is just the first step to achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. Phase One treatment normally does not eliminate the need for Two-Phase orthodontic treatment. It does, however, make the overall treatment time faster and easier.