What is 2 phase ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
- Avoid Tooth Extraction and Impacted Teeth
- Avoid Jaw Surgery
- Improve Self Esteem
- Avoid Gum Recession
- Help Improve a Child’s Breathing and airway
Getting braces is not only about tooth alignment and your smile! Phase 1 Treatment is designed to align the face, the profile, the bite, and the patient's airway. Aligning the jaws into the correct position results in a better and more stable outcome for esthetics and function.
Does my child need Phase I orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment is not only about teeth. Healthy and attractive faces work as a balanced system. This “system” involves the jaws, joints, teeth, gums, lips, and tongue. Each part of the system influences another. The way we breathe, speak, and chew influences skeletal growth and facial development. Unhealthy growth patterns in a young person can lead to a breakdown of the system early and significant problems later in life.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends age 7 for your child’s first orthodontic exam. Why so young? We are dealing with growth, and many orthodontic problems worsen over time and are most easily and best addressed with the assistance of growth. A board-certified orthodontist can identify if an unhealthy growth pattern exists or if there are any improper breathing habits and/or oral myofunctional disorders playing a role in poorly developing jaws that must be corrected early in growth!
At your child’s exam, Dr. DiGiovanni will determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary and if it is when the best time would be to initiate treatment. Following are some examples of patients treated in our office whose problems were identified in time, greatly benefitting the patient.
how does 2 phase orthodontic treatment work?
Below is a typical 2-phase orthodontic treatment progression in our office:
A. Pre-Treatment: Arrows Reveal a Bilateral Skeletal Cross Bite, Narrow Smile, Crowding
B. Phase I treatment: Palate Expander (7 Months) and Upper Braces (12 Months)
C. After Phase I Completion
D. After Phase II Completion (14 months of braces OR Invisalign)
2 phase results
Following are typical but impressive examples of conditions of patients who benefited greatly from interceptive (phase I) treatment:
Most Common Questions about 2-phase treatment
We love answering your questions. Contact us today and let us answer these for you.
Dr. DiGiovanni prescribes two-phase orthodontic treatment when early intervention can significantly improve the outcome and stability of the treatment. This approach is often used to address developing problems that, if left untreated, could lead to more severe issues as more teeth erupt and facial growth transpires. During your child’s initial exam, Dr. DiGiovanni will determine if two-phase treatment is necessary and the best time to start1.
Treatment time depends on the child and the specific orthodontic concern. However, Phase I treatment is usually completed in approximately 12 months.
NO You do not need a referral from your dentist or from Insurance.
While there is no exact age for braces, the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children visit an orthodontist for the first time no later than age 7. At this point, an orthodontist can evaluate a child’s airway, bite, and oral habits and establish a treatment timeline if interceptive treatment is needed.
The answer is “sometimes” Dr. DiGiovanni will recommend Invisalign for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment. Only about 5% of our phase I treatments undergo Invisalign for their phase I needs. Following are some conditions Dr. DiGiovanni will offer Invisalign for young patients:
Arch development
Space and crowding
Class II, Class III, and palatal expansion
Habit correction, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting
Whether your insurance covers Phase I orthodontics can depend on several factors, including your specific insurance plan and provider. Here are some general points to consider:
Coverage Details: Many dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for orthodontic treatments, but the extent can vary. Some plans might cover a portion of the costs for Phase I orthodontics, while others may not1.
Waiting Periods: Some insurance plans have waiting periods before orthodontic benefits kick in. This means you might need to wait a certain amount of time after enrolling in the plan before you can use the orthodontic benefits2.
Pre-Authorization: Your insurance provider might require pre-authorization for orthodontic treatments. This means you would need to get approval from your insurance company before starting treatment to ensure it will be covered1.
To get a definitive answer, it’s best to contact your insurance provider directly. They can give you detailed information about your specific plan’s coverage for Phase I orthodontics.
