Above all else, Total Orthodontics is known for one thing–conservative care.
We simply do not over-prescribe orthodontic treatment. “Conservative Care” is our hallmark. Indeed, we have over 1,600 children in our complimentary Growth and Guidance Program. These are children who came in for an orthodontic exam, and one of our doctors determined it was too early to start treatment.
In some cases, orthodontic treatment is best approached with two distinct phases to the treatment. In these cases, the first phase is not surprisingly called Phase One, and the second step of the treatment is called Phase Two. Our doctors follow the research, which suggests that fewer than 10% of all patients benefit from this approach, and as such, over 90% of our patients are treated in one single phase, which typically begins at approximately age 12.
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE TYPICALLY TREATED WITH A PHASE ONE TREATMENT?
Phase One treatment typically commences at age 7-9 years old and lasts approximately 9-12 months. Crossbites, underbites, severe crowding, narrow palates, breathing disorders, and impacted teeth are common reasons for Phase One treatments.
WHEN DOES PHASE TWO TREATMENT BEGIN?
Phase Two typically begins at the dental age of 12, which is the same timeframe for treatment for those patients who undergo one single phase of treatment. However, sometimes, patients must wait longer if they have an underbite or an open bite. Each case is a bit different.
" Since 2006, I have worked in the clinic at TO and have seen the doctors do what is best for their patients, day in and day out, all day long. I love that our patients are HAPPY; they like coming here, and I like coming to work."
At what age should a child first visit the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that most children should have an orthodontic screening by age 7. This allows Dr. Theroux, Dr. Donahue, and Dr. Barefoot to determine if orthodontic treatment will be required and the best time for the patient to be treated. Many of the dentists in our community have been trained to identify orthodontic problems early and may refer you to our office earlier than age 7.
Why are children being evaluated at such an early age?
Early diagnosis and treatment can guide erupting teeth into a more favorable position, preserve space for permanent teeth, and reduce the likelihood of fracturing protruded front teeth. Additionally, parents often request early treatment due to cosmetic concerns as related to self-esteem; this is a valid reason for early treatment.
If early treatment is indicated, Dr. Theroux and Dr. Barefoot can guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment after all the permanent teeth erupt.
Does early treatment benefit all children?
Early treatment does not benefit all children. Certain types of orthodontic problems can be more easily and efficiently corrected in the teen years when all the permanent teeth have erupted. Some skeletal orthodontic problems should not be addressed until growth is more advanced or completed. The doctors will develop a plan for treatment based on each individual child’s needs. If the doctor decides the patient is not ready for treatment, they are placed in our Growth and Guidance Program, called our Kids’ Club.
What is the Kids’ Club?
The Kids’ Club program is for patients who are not ready for treatment and have been placed on recall. More than half the time, our doctors do an exam on a child with no immediate treatment. Those who do not need treatment are placed into our complimentary Kids’ Club.
If a child has treatment early, will this prevent the need for braces as a teen?
During early treatment we can begin to the correct significant problems, prevent more severe problems from developing, and simplify future treatment. Because all of the permanent teeth have not yet erupted when early treatment is performed, their final alignment may not have been corrected.
Typically, a shortened comprehensive phase of treatment (Phase II – full braces or Invisalign®) in the teen years, after all the permanent teeth have erupted, completes the correction. However, in rare circumstances, further orthodontic treatment may not be indicated. We love telling parents that their child, in the end, does not need Phase Two treatment, but most of the time, Phase Two is indeed needed.
