“Back in my day, you just got braces when all of your teeth were in.”
A line we frequently hear from parents bringing in their child for an evaluation. And we can’t argue that – but remember, that was BACK IN THE DAY. I totally get it. I myself was part of the group that waited until all of my teeth were in, or so we thought. The result was 4 long years of braces with surgery to resolve my impacted (trapped in the gums) eye-teeth. With advances in orthodontics from highly detailed diagnostic capabilities, to customized treatment planning, to the more efficient and effective appliances, we no longer have to wait and hope that things just work out. Times have changed for the better! Our orthodontists have been successful for decades in minimizing the complications that can arise from waiting too long to start treatment.
We are entering a unique time in the history of orthodontics where I can comfortably say that many parents of patients we see had the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment. Whether it was braces when they were young or clear aligner treatment such as Invisalign as an adult, the possibility was there. Contrary to the generation before that when there were many barriers to treatment including lack of dental awareness, more cumbersome treatment options with less customization and variety, less social awareness as it pertains to social media and its major impact on appearance, and even financial considerations. Needless to say, our parents were likely not as lucky when it comes to orthodontic care. In just the last few decades, materials and techniques have improved drastically, and the way to treat patients in the most ideal fashion became intercepting potential issues that could be foreseen with our incredible diagnostic tools rather than waiting for all teeth to be present. Better put, be PROactive rather than REactive!
With that I present to you Phase I Orthodontic Treatment which often includes palatal expanders to create space for anticipated or existing crowding, limited braces to close up spaces, and a number of other customized appliances to fix unwanted or uncomfortable bites. At Bancroft Dobrin Orthodontics, our patients that require this type of treatment thrive, and on average only need about 9-12 months of treatment for this early phase. There are countless numbers of case studies published throughout the literature that show how effective starting orthodontic treatment can be at a young age. How young are we talking? Realistically, interceptive therapy or Phase I Treatment starts in the 8-10 year-old range because typically half permanent teeth and half baby teeth are present at that age. This varies by patient though, largely because dental age does not always correlate to chronological age (and in many cases there are large differences). Believe it not, the trend is now going with even earlier intervention when there are skeletal issues, breathing issues, and poor habits like thumb-sucking or poor tongue posture/position. Thus, it is never too soon to be evaluated. And more importantly, at our offices, we do not charge for the consultation or recall visits if the patient is not yet ready for treatment. We do not want to create any additional barriers that would prevent patients from being evaluated at the appropriate time.
So why wait and risk longer or more complicated treatments later on? Or worse, extractions of permanent teeth due to crowding that could have been resolved with an expander? Or delay resolving uncomfortable bites which are best to fix at a young age during periods of growth that we can capitalize on?
At our family offices, we practice with integrity and will ALWAYS give you honest and true opinions on whether it is necessary to start at a younger age (Phase I), or if treatment can wait until the majority of the permanent teeth erupt (Comprehensive Treatment). Not everyone falls into the category of requiring interceptive treatment, and that is where we put you on a recall schedule, closely following the condition of the teeth and jaws until you become ready for treatment.
The Phase II component comes into play following Phase I treatment, when it is needed. A successful Phase I treatment would afford the permanent teeth more space to come in, or a better chance at safely coming through the gums, and we will continue to follow up throughout growth to see where those teeth erupt. Often times, there is a need for a short Phase II treatment, whether braces or clear aligners, to fix the slight imperfections of the teeth or to help resolve bite issues stemming from extended unfavorable growth patterns. The point is, correcting issues earlier will make treatment much easier for the patient and minimize total treatment time.
For those that have had treatment in the past, we always ask about their individual experiences, which all vary. But there is always a common theme – it took forever. WELL, THAT’S NO LONGER THE CASE! As stated earlier, the vast improvement of materials and technologies will make treatment more efficient by decreasing total treatment time as well as improving comfort throughout the process. I assure you, it is not worth waiting – come visit us and see all of the incredible state-of-the-art options we offer. All ages welcome! For more information, check us out at www.bdorthodontics.com!
Dr. Keith Dobrin is a recognized ABO Board-Certified orthodontic specialist with a degree in Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. His research on braces adhering to teeth has been internationally published, and given his experience and expertise, he has been selected to test various orthodontic products from national and international companies.
