Two-Phase Treatment
This treatment includes several orthodontic appliances, but it also works with your child’s natural growth, including their jawbone growth. If your family dentist begins to notice around age 6, 7, or 8 that your child’s upper jaw may be too narrow as their permanent, adult teeth are preparing to come in, they will suggest that you visit an orthodontist for a consultation and maybe some X-rays.
What is Two-Phase Treatment?
There are two active steps in this treatment plan. Your child will first have (painless) diagnostic tests and X-rays done to see how large the jaw is and if there is enough growth expected to fit in the incoming adult teeth. If your child is a good candidate for two-phase treatment:
Phase One: Your child will be measured for and then be outfitted with a palatal expander. An expander is an orthodontic appliance, made very precisely for your child’s mouth, than is placed on your child’s upper teeth near the back of the mouth and then bonded to the teeth. Over a series of weeks (according to your orthodontist’s instructions), the expander will very slowly be extended with a small metal key (usually this is done by the parent, who will be carefully trained by the orthodontist on this step).
This slowly expands the growth plate in the upper jawbone, creating room for adult teeth to come in that may have unable to descend or may be coming in but are causing overcrowding in your child’s mouth. Over a period of about four months, your child’s body naturally creates new bone in the growth plate that will fill in the space created by the expander. Braces will then be placed on the front teeth to make sure that they’re in the proper position. The expander will be removed, and the braces remain until enough adult teeth have come in and are properly positioned. Your child will most likely use a retainer to keep teeth in the correct position too. This first phase can take between nine and 24 months.
Now, the “non-active phase” takes over: your child will continue to grow, creating even more room in their jaw for adult teeth.
Phase Two: After your child has lost all baby teeth and the adult teeth have come in (about 12 or 13 years), they will again get braces to continue positioning the teeth on both the top and bottom. The second phase can take between 12 to 24 months—a huge improvement over the time it took 20 or 30 years ago, when teenagers would wear braces for two to four years.
What are the benefits?
This treatment provides several benefits:
- It creates more space for a child’s permanent teeth.
- It fixes crossbites (when upper and lower teeth don’t fit properly) and crowding by creating more room in the jaw.
- It reduces the amount of time your child will have braces on. In some cases, treatment time can be reduced by up to 50 percent!
- It works with your child’s natural growth to create a beautiful smile!
Does the expander hurt when it’s placed in a child’s mouth? Does it hurt when I turn the key?
The expander can cause some discomfort right after it’s placed in—some pressure can be felt—but goes away quickly. When you turn the key to expand the jaw, most children do not feel anything. The expansion is done in very small increments. Sometimes, the gums and inside of the mouth are irritated by the metal in the expander, and that can be fixed by placing wax over the parts that are bothering your child. If your child complains of pain that doesn’t go away, please call your orthodontist.
Does my child have to avoid certain foods when wearing an expander and braces?
Yes, as with any orthodontic appliance, your child should avoid sticky, crunchy, and hard food.
Do you have financing available?
Yes, Dr. Harkins has very affordable financing plans with no interest. There’s no need to sign up for a credit card that has fees attached in order to finance this treatment. Instead, you can pay every month with a plan that can include any orthodontia benefits you may have as a part of your dental insurance. Just ask us and we can tell you how to begin!
Can I just call and make an appointment with Dr. Harkins, even if my family dentist hasn’t said if my child should see an orthodontist yet?
Yes, just give Dr. Harkin’s office a call at (724) 728-3343. You don’t need a referral. In fact, all children should see an orthodontist by the time they’re seven, so if you have any questions or concerns, call the office. Your initial consultation is complimentary!
Harkins Orthdontics
Center Twp. Office
3582 Brodhead Rd.
Monaca, PA 15061
724-728-3343
