Many young patients can greatly benefit from "Two-Phase Treatment." Just as the name implies, there are 2 distinct phases of treatment. Phase I, or early/interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontics (i.e. expander, headgear or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of 6 and 11. This therapy is often recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correct crossbites, or eliminate harmful oral habits. Early treatment also can begin correcting bite problems so that jaw surgery or tooth extractions may be avoided and that later treatment is easier for the patient.
Phase II treatment is also called "comprehensive" treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of 11 and 13. While some patients receive enough benefit from their Phase I therapy to forgo braces, most patients still require comprehensive treatment.
