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Two-phase orthodontic treatment involves two separate and distinct periods that your child receives orthodontic treatment. It allows your son or daughter to begin early treatment of bite and jaw problems, in order to reduce the dental issues he or she experiences later on.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment with Dr. Pack can improve how well the second phase of the treatment works and helps to make room for permanent teeth. Overall, two-phase treatment helps to position the teeth and the jaw for an attractive profile. Our team at Pack Orthodontics recommends that you bring your child to our Murfreesboro, TN office at the age of seven or eight, so that Dr. Pack can determine if early (Phase-One) treatment is necessary.

Phase-One

Phase-One orthodontic treatment is known as early treatment. It begins shortly after your child’s first orthodontic examination, usually around age eight or nine. The main goal of Phase-One orthodontic treatment is to help make room for permanent teeth, which reduces crooked teeth as a result of overcrowding. It treats the jaw and bite growth, and issues like crossbite or underbite. This can reduce the need for your child to undergo extractions.

Phase-Two

Phase-Two orthodontic treatment is when braces are placed on the upper and/or lower teeth. The purpose is not just to correct spaces or misaligned teeth, but also to correct overbite or underbite concerns. Phase-Two usually begins around age 11 or 12, and the braces are worn for an average of two to three years, depending on your child’s unique needs. Some children have fewer issues and wear braces for little more than a year, while others need them for up to four years.

Signs your child needs two-phase orthodontic treatment

If your child exhibits the following signs, he or she may be a good candidate for two-phase orthodontic treatment:

• Losing baby teeth early, before five years of age
• Problems with biting or chewing
• Sucking the thumb after age five
• Evidence of a crossbite, where the teeth don’t come together when opening or closing of the mouth
• Teeth are crowded at age seven or eight
• Protruding teeth on the top or bottom

Not all children need to have early treatment, but if your child shows any of these signs, you should bring him or her to us for an evaluation at Pack Orthodontics.

The community health awareness group Oral Health America has reported that 82 percent of adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria can play in tooth decay or cavities, and almost three out of five children aged 12 to 19 have tooth decay. Since June is National Smile Month, Dr. Pack and our team at Pack Orthodontics thought we’d remind our patients about the importance of good oral hygiene visits between office visits.

To keep your family’s smiles healthy and beautiful for years to come, be sure to:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day to clean between your teeth
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit Dr. Pack for scheduled appointments

If you want to know more about healthy home care habits, feel free to ask our team at your next appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

Parents usually have numerous questions about orthodontic treatment for their children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment for children should start at around seven years of age. This allows Dr. Pack to evaluate the child’s existing and incoming teeth to determine whether or not early treatment might be necessary.

What is early orthodontic treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment, known as Phase One, usually begins when the child is eight or nine years old. The goal is to correct bite problems such as an underbite as well as guide the jaw’s growth pattern. It also helps to make room in the mouth for the permanent teeth to be properly placed as they come in. This will greatly reduce the risk of the child needing extractions later in life due to his or her teeth getting crowded.

Does your child need early orthodontic treatment?

There are several ways that you can determine whether your child needs early treatment. If you observe any of these characteristics or behaviors, you should talk to Dr. Pack.

• Early loss of baby teeth (before age five)
• Late loss of baby teeth (after age five or six)
• The child’s teeth do not meet properly or at all
• The child is a mouth breather
• Front teeth are crowded (you won’t see this until the child is about seven or eight)
• Protruding teeth, typically in the front
• Biting or chewing difficulties
• A speech impediment
• The child’s jaw shifts when he or she opens or closes the mouth
• The child is older than five years and still sucks a thumb

What are the benefits of seeking orthodontic treatment early?

Early orthodontic treatment is begun while the child’s jaw bones are still soft. They do not harden until the children reach their late teens. Because the bones are still pliable, corrective procedures such as braces work faster than they do for adults.

In short, early treatment at our Murfreesboro, TN office often allows your child to avoid lengthy procedures, extraction, and surgery in adulthood. Early treatment is an effective preventive measure that lays the foundation for a healthy, stable mouth in adulthood.

Happy May from Pack Orthodontics. We are pleased to announce that our office is open and we are now accepting appointments!

Here’s what you can expect when you arrive for your next appointment: before the appointment, we ask all patients to brush their teeth thoroughly. Upon arrival, we will ask patients to wait in their vehicle until our assistants are ready for them. Please note that appointment times will be longer to allow cleaning in between patients. There will be extra personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of both our staff and our team. For the moment we’ve closed off common areas like the brushing station or coffee bar.

We are doing many things differently to allow for the maximum safety of both the practice and our patients. We are so thankful our patients are being understanding and cooperative. Thank you all for your assistance!

While away from the office the Pack Orthodontics team has stayed busy and managed this time of uncertainty but practicing self-care. Denise loves losing herself in a good book. Nina takes care of herself by exercising, pampering herself, and shopping. Laurie and Hope find baths with a glass of wine the best way to relax. Morgan practices yoga, says her prayers, and spends time at the lake. Megan loves sharing some laughs with friends, drinking a glass of wine, and having a pedicure. Ashley also enjoys a glass of wine, listening to her favorite songs, and cooking.

Many of us have become chefs while in quarantine! Here’s what the Pack Orthodontics team cooked up in their time of social distancing at home. Denise tried out many new recipes including enchilada casserole and banana bread. Nina cooked up cilantro lime rice, and treated herself to meals via DoorDash. Laurie indulged in baking some chocolate oatmeal cookies. Morgan mixed up some yummy drinks. Hope made a peach cobbler, yum!

Megan said she didn't quite become a chef while staying home, but she did clean her house. Ashley made buffalo chicken pizza and biscuits and gravy.

In such a challenging time it’s important to recognize and acknowledge what we have to be grateful for in life. Denise’s husband is retired, so she was able to spend a lot of quality time with him. Laurie was also able to spend some great quality time with her family. Nina was able to pay off bills. Morgan was excited to receive the stimulus check. Hope is thankful to still be employed and that her family is healthy. Ashley is cherishing her strong support group of friends, family, and coworkers and that she has a job to go back to! For Megan, life is her silver lining!

Once social distancing ends, we all have different areas of life that the Pack Orthodontics team is excited to return to! Denise can’t wait to see her grandchildren, get a mani & pedi, and eat out at her favorite restaurant. Laurie is also excited to be pampered with hair and pedicure appointments. Morgan is looking forward to hanging out in the open without having to worry.

Nina is eager to return to the beach! Megan is looking forward to seeing all her coworkers again and getting a pedicure. Hope is also excited for a pedicure and people not hoarding toilet paper. Ashley misses hugging her friends!

We hope everyone continues to stay safe. Please give our office a call to make your next appointment with us. We can’t wait to see you!