Ask Dr. Poggio: What is two-phase treatment and when is it necessary?

Great question. Usually patients in orthodontic treatment at our Chula Vista office already have their permanent teeth, but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. Dr. Poggio calls this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.” Phase one usually does not involve braces, but can include a different type of appliance that helps the jaw grow into place properly, such as a retainer. We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in.

In order to catch early problems, Dr. Poggio and our team at Otay Lakes Orthodontics recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so do our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists). To learn more about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Poggio, please give us a call or ask us on Facebook.