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Two-Phase Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be screened by an orthodontist by the age of seven. While most children may not require treatment at that age, early screenings allow us to identify potential issues that may need early intervention. At Edmonds Orthodontics, we specialize in two-phase treatment, a proactive approach that helps guide proper jaw development and creates space for permanent teeth, ensuring a healthier, more confident smile as your child grows. This approach helps address orthodontic issues early and can reduce the need for more extensive treatment later in life.
Two-phase treatment is an orthodontic process that takes place in two separate stages — usually starting during childhood and finishing once all the permanent teeth have come in. The goal is to:
- Guide proper jaw growth
- Create space for developing teeth
- Correct bite problems early
- Prevent more serious alignment issues later
By addressing certain issues while the jaw is still growing, we can often shorten future treatment time, reduce the need for extractions, and ensure a healthier, more balanced smile.
Phase One: Early Treatment
The first phase usually begins when your child still has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This early treatment focuses on:
- Guiding jaw development to ensure there’s enough room for permanent teeth
- Correcting bite problems like crossbites, underbites, or overbites
- Addressing habits (like thumb-sucking) that can affect jaw and tooth development
- Reducing the risk of crowding or impacted teeth
Phase One treatment might involve:
- Expanders to widen the upper jaw
- Partial braces on select teeth
- Space maintainers to hold space for permanent teeth
- Other appliances to guide jaw growth or correct early bite issues
Once Phase One is complete, we’ll monitor your child’s smile as they grow, usually with regular check-ins every 6-12 months.
Resting Period: Monitoring Growth
Between the two phases, your child enters a resting period where no active treatment takes place. This gives permanent teeth time to come in naturally. Regular observation helps us make sure everything is progressing as expected.
Phase Two: Full Orthodontic Treatment
Once most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted, Phase Two begins. This phase focuses on:
- Perfecting tooth alignment
- Fine-tuning the bite
- Ensuring long-term stability
Phase Two typically involves:
The goal is to achieve a straight, functional, and healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.
Why Choose Two-Phase Treatment?
Two-phase treatment allows us to intervene at the right time to guide proper development, rather than waiting for problems to become more severe. Benefits include:
- Less need for extractions or surgery later on
- Shorter treatment time during the teen years
- Better overall facial balance and improved function
- A healthier foundation for lifelong oral health
Every child’s smile develops at its own pace, so the best way to know if your child would benefit from two-phase treatment is to schedule an early orthodontic evaluation — ideally around age seven. Our experienced orthodontists at Edmonds Orthodontics will carefully assess your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw growth to determine the best treatment plan.
Airway Orthodontics
At Edmonds Orthodontics, we’re committed to more than just creating a stunning smile. We focus on comprehensive dental care that supports your overall well-being. Our approach goes beyond simply aligning your teeth; we also address crucial aspects such as airway health and its impact on your quality of life. This includes identifying and treating conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and habitual mouth breathing. Our mission is to enhance your breathing efficiency, contributing to better sleep and overall health.
Maintaining a healthy airway is vital for optimal breathing and structural balance. Effective nasal breathing is essential for maximizing oxygen intake, which improves overall wellness and reduces the risk of sleep-related breathing issues and other associated health problems. At Edmonds Orthodontics, our dedication extends to your complete health, beginning with a focus on your airway.
Benefits of Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing is vital for children’s development. It is not just advantageous but necessary for your child’s growth, influencing facial development, dental alignment, and overall health. Breathing through the nose helps keep the airways open, supports proper facial structure, and minimizes common respiratory concerns. Additionally, children who primarily use their noses to breathe are less prone to issues such as sleep apnea and snoring, and are less likely to encounter behavioral problems often linked with ADHD. Nasal breathing lays a strong foundation for both healthy development and restful sleep.
Studies, including research from the National Sleep Foundation, reveal that children experiencing breathing difficulties like snoring or mouth breathing are at a higher risk of developing behavioral issues similar to ADHD. This highlights the important link between proper breathing and overall well-being.
TMJ/TMD Treatment
If you experience jaw pain, clicking, or discomfort when chewing or speaking, you may be dealing with a condition known as TMD (temporomandibular disorder), which affects the TMJ — the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull. At Edmonds Orthodontics, we understand how disruptive TMD symptoms can be, and we’re here to help.
What is TMD?
TMD refers to a variety of issues that affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. These problems can stem from:
- Bite misalignment
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Jaw injury
- Stress or muscle tension
Symptoms may include:
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Clicking or popping sounds in the joint
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Frequent headaches or facial pain
- Earaches or a feeling of fullness in the ears
How Orthodontic Treatment Can Help
In many cases, correcting the alignment of your teeth and bite can relieve strain on the TMJ and significantly reduce TMD symptoms. Our experienced orthodontists will evaluate your bite, jaw function, and overall oral health to determine if orthodontic treatment, like braces or Invisalign, could help restore proper function and balance to your bite and jaw.
Treatment options may include:
- Braces or clear aligners to correct bite misalignment
- Custom bite splints to reduce jaw stress and nighttime clenching
- Orthodontic adjustments to create a more comfortable, balanced bite
TMD can affect everything from eating to speaking and even your quality of sleep. If you’re struggling with persistent jaw pain or discomfort, Edmonds Orthodontics is here to help.
Surgical Orthodontics
Surgical orthodontics is a treatment option for severe bite problems or skeletal discrepancies that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone. It is also considered when orthodontic treatment would result in a compromised facial appearance. In these cases, orthognathic surgery, or orthodontic treatment combined with jaw surgery, may be used.
Severe malocclusion (or a bad bite) may cause functional problems such as an inability to chew food properly, speech difficulties, and facial dysfunction characterized by headaches, joint pain, and periodontal problems. Furthermore, self-esteem issues often arise due to the physical appearance related to jaw discrepancies. Orthognathic surgery can also be an important part of the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Surgical orthodontics is a team effort that involves interdisciplinary planning in collaboration with Drs. O’Hara and Kim, your dentist, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and you. After the treatment plan is determined and accepted, pre-surgical orthodontics will move your teeth to a position so they will fit together properly when the jaws are repositioned with surgery. Since the teeth generally start in a “compensated” position, you may feel that your bite is getting worse during this phase of treatment. However, when the surgeon realigns your jaws into a harmonious balance, the teeth will fit together properly.
While surgery may be the best option to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic results, it is always an elective procedure. Other treatment options will be presented to you at the consultation appointment.
Interdisciplinary Treatment
At Edmonds Orthodontics, we take a team-based approach to ensure our patients receive the best possible care, especially when orthodontic issues overlap with other dental or medical concerns. This approach — known as interdisciplinary treatment — means we collaborate closely with other dental and healthcare specialists to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Interdisciplinary treatment combines the expertise of orthodontists, general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, and other healthcare providers to address complex dental, jaw, and facial issues. By working together, we can develop a treatment plan that ensures all aspects of your oral health are considered — from the alignment of your teeth to the health of your gums, jaw joints, and facial structure.
When is Interdisciplinary Care Needed?
Some patients require more than just orthodontic treatment to achieve optimal oral health and aesthetics. Interdisciplinary treatment is often recommended for:
- Patients with missing teeth who need orthodontic space management before dental implants or bridges
- Severe bite problems that may require corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)
- Gum disease (periodontal disease) that needs to be stabilized before or during orthodontic care
- Patients with worn, broken, or compromised teeth who need restorative dentistry after orthodontics
- TMJ/TMD concerns where jaw positioning plays a key role in symptom relief
At Edmonds Orthodontics, we believe that the best outcomes come from teamwork. Whether your treatment plan involves braces, Invisalign, surgery, or restorative care, you can trust that our team will work seamlessly with your other healthcare providers to ensure every aspect of your smile is healthy, functional, and beautiful.
