When is two-phase treatment necessary? From Dr. Skibell

Typically, patients in orthodontic treatment at our Houston office already have their permanent teeth. But in some cases Dr. David Skibell has to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in.

In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit us even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation, please give us a call.

Have a great weekend!