Orthodontics Information
1st stage
Age 6-10 years (about 12 months duration) : This is early treatment for intercepting and preventing malocclusions, abnormal facial growth, and development. Treatment is about 12 months long and ends when all body teeth are lost. The process may involve wearing a chincap, headgear, upper and lower lingual wires with finger springs, partial bonding, and several extractions. (Early extraction amy be necessary to save spaces for other adult teeth)
2nd stage
Age 10-16 years (12 months - 24 months) : Patients needing treatment at this stage usually have upper and lower crowned teeth with protrusion of their upper or lower jaws & teeth, deep over bite, open bite, cross bite, midline shifting, abnormal eruptions, spacing problems or the lack of spcing for adult teeth. Treatment usually takes 12 months to 24 months and may or may not require teeth extractions.
Adults
Over 16 years (24 months or longer) : The problems faced by patients in this stage are some as 2nd stage. However, it is more difficult to treat patients at this stage and somtimes takes up to 36 months depending on the case.
Retention
1 year continuously and nightly thereafter : Upon completion of the orthodontic treatment, most patients require retainers (upper and lower) to maintain the corrected teeth alignment. Typically, upper and lower removable retainers are utilize and lower fixed retainers in some cases.