This gives your orthodontist a chance to evaluate jaw growth, crowding of erupting adult front teeth, skeletal abnormalities (ie. crossbites, protruding teeth) and harmful oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusts). When treatment begins early your orthodontist can expand and provide more room for erupting permanent teeth and guide the growth of the jaws.
Phase 2 treatment, usually at age 11-13, is started when most of the permanent have erupted and requires braces on all the teeth for approximately 12-15 months. This second phase of treatment aligns the permanent teeth into their final position.
The disadvantage of not choosing two-phase treatment, and waiting for all permanent teeth to erupt before starting orthodontic treatment, is the possibility of losing out on the window of time where expansion may be done. This may lead to crowding or bite probelms that are so severe it makes extracting teeth or corrective jaw surgery necessary.
Many choices are available for adult treatment. Some of these include Invisalign treatment, ceramic (clear) braces, and lingual braces (behind the teeth). There is even a technique called Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics that Dr. Bancroft is certified in and treatment can be completed in 6-9 months. These options can be discussed with your orthodontist.
Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) corrects jaw irregularities (ie. underbites, open bites) and obtains a proper relationship between upper and lower jaws. Your orthodontist will work in conjunction with an oral surgeon on these cases. Surgery is done in conjunction with braces so that the teeth and jaws are all properly aligned.