Phase 2 Orthodontics – Cleburne, TX
The Foundation for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Our goal is to help our patients enjoy the benefits of healthy, well-aligned teeth and jaws. Sometimes, we achieve this goal through two-phase treatment for children. During the first phase, we use orthodontics to promote normal dental development. Then, there is a resting period while we wait for the child’s permanent teeth to erupt. Once all of those teeth have erupted (usually sometime during early adolescence), it may be necessary to begin phase 2 treatment.
What Is Phase 2 Orthodontic Treatment?
Basically, phase 2 orthodontic treatment picks up where phase 1 left off. It often involves braces on both the upper and lower teeth. The braces address issues like rotated teeth, crooked teeth, overcrowding, and more. If your child underwent phase 1 treatment, their time with braces may be shorter and more comfortable than that of their peers who did not receive phase 1 treatment.
We’ll be there as a support system to help both you and your child while they’re wearing braces. We’ll coach both of you on how to maintain proper hygiene, how to protect the braces, and how to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible throughout their treatment period.
Does My Child Need Phase 2 Orthodontics?
In some cases, phase 1 orthodontics is all that is necessary to ensure that a child enjoys a properly developed, well-aligned smile. However, you should not take it for granted that your child does not need further treatment. After the rest period following phase 1 treatment, it’s wise for you to bring your child to us for a checkup. Your child’s general dentist in Cleburne may encourage you to do so if they believed further orthodontic treatment is necessary. We’ll examine your child’s teeth and other oral structures and let you know if phase 2 treatment is necessary.
Some indications that your child may need braces include:
- They have teeth that are noticeably crooked, crowded, or otherwise misaligned
- They often breathe through their mouth
- They frequently bite their cheeks
What Happens After Phase 2 Orthodontics?
After we remove your child’s braces, that is not the end of their orthodontic journey. It is important that they wear a retainer in order to prevent their teeth from drifting back out of place. At first, they’ll need to wear the retainer full-time. After several months, they may just be able to wear the retainer at night. Eventually, they might need to wear a retainer just a couple of nights each week in order to keep their teeth in place. Failure to wear a retainer as instructed could lead to the need for your child to get braces again when they are an adult.
Our practice is part of the Retainers for Life program, which helps families to obtain affordable replacement retainers following orthodontic treatment. Ask us about the program when your child is nearing the end of their time with braces so we can help you opt into it.
Would you like to learn more about phase 2 orthodontics and how this treatment may benefit your child? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.