Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Can you skip phase 1 orthodontics?

 SOMETIMES, YES!!!


This is another article showing there really is no huge advantage to EARLY treatment (around age 8-9 prior to all the permanent teeth being in) in patients who present with a class II (aka- large overjet).   Shown here in the picture






 Unless there are pressing bite issues (like a crossbite or severe crowding), it may just be best to wait for the phase 2 (full braces/appliance treatment).

Intrarater agreement about the etiology of Class II malocclusion and treatment approach

Of course, it is a case-by-case basis so an evaluation should still be done by an orthodontist to determine if early treatment would be beneficial.