WHAT IS PHASE ONE (EARLY) TREATMENT? WHAT IS THE LENGTH OR DURATION OF PHASE ONE/EARLY TREATMENT?
Phase One treatment is usually initiated for children between the ages of seven (7) and ten (10). The objectives of Phase One treatment include the correction of harmful habits (e.g., thumb/finger sucking, tongue thrusting), the correction of skeletal relationships (“crossbites, overbites, underbites, open bites,” etc.) between the upper and lower jaws, the development of space to accommodate the permanent teeth, and improvement in a child’s psychological self-image and self-esteem, both very important during their formative years. Generally, Phase I/Early Treatment lasts from 4 to 16 months, or longer, depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.
