Alexandria Orthodontic Showcase: Phase I with Orthopedic Facemask

Welcome to Season 4 of the Alexandria Orthodontics showcase.

Our first showcase of the season focuses on Phase I treatment which is also referred to as “Early Intervention Treatment”. As the name implies, the treatment is started early (usually at age 6-9). During this period of growth, the patient will usually have several baby teeth and not all of the adult dentition is in. Phase I treatments are often recommended if there are urgent issues such as traumatic bites causing recession or pain, potential impactions, and skeletal discrepancies where peak growth can be achieved at this age. Other urgent issues include nutritional or speech issues which may be complications related to malocclusions. In some situations, some malocclusions may negatively affect the way children interact in social situations. These psychosocial concerns may qualify as urgent issues.

In our week’s showcase, we present an 8 year old patient with a primary concern of an underbite. Her diagnosis was a moderate class III skeletal discrepancy with a straight profile. To correct the underbite, a phase I treatment was recommended which included an upper expander and a reverse pull facemask.

The optimal age for orthopedic correction with a facemask is usually between the age of 6 to 10 years of age. After the age of 10, the growth sutures of the midface usually begin to fuse up and much of the resulting correction is dental flaring.

The phase I treatment started with the delivery of an upper expander followed up by the delivery of the facemask 2 months later. After 6 months of facemask wear, braces were placed for another 5 months for a total treatment time of 13 months. Before removal of the braces, small spaces were retained anterior to the canines for permanent canine eruption at around age 12. A hawley retainer is usually the retainer of choice for patients in mixed dentition.

Stay tuned for next week's showcase

Видео Alexandria Orthodontic Showcase: Phase I with Orthopedic Facemask канала Alexandria Orthodontics