What is Two-Phase Treatment?
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized approach that ensures proper alignment of a child’s developing teeth and jaws. This process helps in preventing more severe orthodontic issues from developing later in life, guiding both the growth of the jaw and the alignment of permanent teeth. By intervening early, we can create more room for crowded teeth, correct jaw issues, and help avoid extractions or surgery in the future. At Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we tailor every two-phase treatment to each child’s unique needs, ensuring optimal results.
Phase One: Early Intervention
The first phase typically begins between the ages of 6 and 10 when a child’s jaw is still growing and primary (baby) teeth are in place. This phase focuses on addressing significant jaw growth discrepancies, severe crowding, or bite problems that could worsen as the child grows. Early intervention during this phase can:
- Improve jaw alignment and position
- Make space for developing teeth
- Reduce the risk of permanent teeth becoming impacted or misaligned
- Encourage healthier bite patterns
We may use appliances such as expanders, partial braces, or other devices to guide the jaw’s development and create room for the permanent teeth to erupt.
Resting Period
After phase one, the treatment enters a resting period where no active orthodontic appliances are used. During this time, the remaining permanent teeth are left to grow in naturally. We closely monitor your child’s dental development, ensuring that their teeth are coming in as expected and that early treatment has set the stage for successful results in the next phase.
Phase Two: Final Alignment
Phase two begins once all the permanent teeth have erupted, typically around the ages of 11 to 14. This phase involves using braces or aligners to fine-tune the alignment of the teeth and finalize the bite correction. By working with the foundation established in phase one, we can ensure that your child’s teeth are in the best possible position, improving both their smile’s appearance and function.
Benefits of Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase treatment offers many advantages over waiting until all permanent teeth are in place. By addressing jaw and bite issues early, we can help reduce the need for more invasive treatments like extractions or jaw surgery later. This approach often leads to more stable and lasting results, giving your child a healthier, well-aligned smile that will serve them for life.
At Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, our team is committed to providing customized care, helping each child get the best possible start with their orthodontic treatment. If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from two-phase treatment, contact us today for a consultation.
Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a specialized orthodontic treatment for patients with severe jaw or bite irregularities that cannot be corrected with braces or aligners alone. At Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we work in tandem with experienced oral surgeons to ensure comprehensive care for our patients. This treatment helps address functional issues like difficulty chewing, speech problems, and discomfort due to jaw misalignment. In addition to improving functionality, surgical orthodontics can also enhance facial aesthetics, leading to a more balanced and harmonious smile.
Who Needs Surgical Orthodontics?
Surgical orthodontics is necessary when the jaws are significantly misaligned, resulting in problems with chewing, speech, and facial symmetry. Common conditions treated with this procedure include:
- Severe underbite or overbite
- Open bite (where teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed)
- Facial trauma or injury
- Jaw growth abnormalities
- Chronic jaw pain or discomfort due to misalignment
By addressing these complex issues, surgical orthodontics not only improves function but can also make a noticeable difference in your facial profile and overall appearance.
The Surgical Orthodontics Process
The process typically begins with a consultation, where our orthodontists carefully assess your case to determine if surgery is the right option for you. Treatment usually involves three phases:
- Pre-Surgical Orthodontics — Braces or aligners are used to move the teeth into the proper position before surgery. This step ensures that your teeth will align correctly with the newly adjusted jaw position.
- Orthognathic Surgery — Performed by a skilled oral surgeon, the surgery repositions the jaws to correct alignment. This is usually done under general anesthesia and may require a short hospital stay.
- Post-Surgical Orthodontics — Once your jaw has healed, braces or aligners will be used to fine-tune the alignment of your teeth and ensure a perfect bite.
Recovery & Results
After the surgery, most patients can expect a recovery period of several weeks, during which their jaw will gradually heal. Our team provides detailed guidance and support throughout this phase, helping to ensure a smooth recovery. Once fully healed, the improvements in jaw function and appearance are long-lasting. Patients often report better chewing, clearer speech, and increased confidence in their smiles.
At Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics, we are committed to providing personalized care for every patient. Our experienced team works closely with highly trained oral surgeons, ensuring your surgical orthodontic treatment is handled with the utmost precision and care. We focus on achieving both functional and aesthetic improvements, giving you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.
If you’re facing complex jaw alignment issues, surgical orthodontics could be the key to unlocking your ideal smile. Contact us today to learn more about how this transformative treatment can benefit you.
All About Retainers
You’ll receive retainers after the active portion of your treatment to help stabilize your teeth. Bones and soft tissues surrounding your teeth are stabilizing for several months after your braces are removed, so it’s imperative to wear your braces as directed. If you don’t wear your retainers correctly, your teeth can move in undesirable ways, making re-treatment necessary.
Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, we feel that individuals who have undergone orthodontic therapy should wear retainers for life.
Retainers are made of a thermoplastic material sensitive to excessive heat, so they should be kept away from heaters, dishwashers, car dashboards, or any place where the temperatures exceed 115 degrees (F).
The retainers should be cleaned before and after placement in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap will remove any plaque. A denture cleaning solution, such as Efferdent, can also aid in the removal of plaque and tartar. Be sure to rinse your retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any cleanser residue.
A Few Things To Remember About Retainers
- Don’t fold it in your napkin or leave it on the table at a restaurant. Garbage cans don’t make happy hunting grounds.
- Don’t put your retainer in your pocket. You might sit on it and break it. OUCH!
- Take your retainer out when swimming in a lake or ocean. If it falls out, you may not be able to find it. The same goes for a swimming pool depending on the size of the pool.
- Animals and younger children love to play with it. Please make sure your retainer is in your mouth or its case at all times. Your retainer should only be out of your mouth when brushing or eating.
- Your lower retainer may be a fixed retainer bonded onto your teeth. It is not considered permanent and can be broken or detached from your teeth if you are not careful with it.
- Bring your retainers to your check-up appointment. If anything happens to your retainers (i.e. it doesn’t fit, it’s broken, or it’s lost) please call us ASAP. If your lower bonded retainer wire comes out, keep it and bring it in at your next appointment for rebounding.
- The first set of retainers is included in your treatment fee. Any repair, replacement of your retainer, or rebonding of your lower retainer will be additional and charged to your account.
- Keep things clean! Be sure to brush your teeth without your retainers in. Do not boil your retainer or put it in hot water. Brush your retainer with a toothbrush using toothpaste or water.
Retainer Maintenance Program
Lost, broken, or dirty retainer? We can help! With our retainer plan, we have streamlined the retainer replacement process for you. We understand that life happens and your smile shouldn’t be affected when it does.
When you join the retainer replacement program, you will receive retainers for a fraction of the typical replacement cost for five years from your braces or Invisalign removal date or contract signing date (whichever is later). Simply pay a one-time enrollment fee of $670, if enrolled at the start of treatment. It includes up to 4 clear retainers a year for five years at the time of your braces or Invisalign removal, with no copay needed. We will also digitally scan your smile at the completion of treatment and store your models on the cloud. No messy impressions are needed.
If you need a new retainer, simply call our office and we will have them ready to pick up in five to seven days. Saves you a visit!
For more information about our retainer plan, check out our brochure.
Emergency Care
It’s unlikely that you’ll experience a true orthodontic emergency because they’re rare. Since they do happen from time to time, you need to know how to handle them. If you experience an orthodontic emergency after hours that cannot wait until the next working day, please give us a call at (336) 803-1757.
Common Issues
The following orthodontic emergencies and their treatments are in order, from least severe to most severe. Only the most severe emergencies may require immediate attention by an orthodontist.
Food Caught Between Your Teeth
While this can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, it’s not an emergency. It can be fixed easily with a piece of dental floss.
Try tying a small knot in the middle of the floss to help remove the food or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between your teeth and your braces.
Discomfort
It’s normal to feel some discomfort for a day or two after your braces or retainers are adjusted, making eating uncomfortable. Soreness during treatment is to be expected. Warm saltwater rinses and Advil help relieve soreness.
Mouth Sores
Your braces don’t cause mouth sores, but if you’re already prone to them, any irritation caused by your braces could make them worse. One or several patches of sores may appear on your cheeks, lips, or tongue. This isn’t an emergency, but can still be very uncomfortable. Get quick relief by applying a small amount of topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the area with sores using a cotton swab. You can reapply as needed.
Irritated Lips or Cheeks
New braces can irritate your mouth, especially when you’re eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal and your mouth. Just pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation.
Then, you can eat more comfortably. If you accidentally swallow the wax, it’s not a problem. The wax is harmless.
Protruding Wire
Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. Sometimes a poking wire can be safely turned down so that it no longer causes you discomfort. Try to tuck the wire back in and out of the way with the blunt end of a toothbrush or some other smooth object. If you cannot take care of a poking wire, apply wax and call our office for an appointment.
Loose Brackets, Wires, or Bands
If a bracket comes loose from the tooth, call us to determine the next steps. Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if you’ve eaten one of those hard or crunchy foods you are instructed to avoid or if the mouth is struck while at play. We encourage all patients, especially those with braces, to wear a protective mouthguard while playing sports.
If the bracket is off-center, the adhesive may have failed. In this instance, it is best to immediately notify Dr. Goldberg & Dr. Davis, who will determine the course of action.
While a tight bracket actually protects a tooth from decay, a loose bracket is dangerous, and decay can occur under it very rapidly. If the bracket is still attached to a wire, leave it in place and apply wax if there is discomfort. If the bracket comes completely off, place it in an envelope and call for an appointment.
Accidents Involving Teeth
Contact our office immediately, or contact your general dentist.
Please remember: If you are involved in contact sports, a regular mouthguard can be fitted over your braces for added protection.
You Swallow a Piece of Your Appliance
This is rare, but when it does happen, it can be alarming. It’s best to stay calm.
If you’re coughing excessively or having difficulty breathing, you may have inhaled the piece into your airways or lungs.
If you can see the piece, you may carefully attempt to remove it. DO NOT make the attempt if you could cause harm.
If appropriate under the circumstances, examine your braces for problems resulting from the missing piece, such as looseness or irritation, and treat as specified above.
If you cannot see the piece and believe it may have been inhaled, call us immediately.
