Phase 1: guide the growth (usually ages 7 to 10)
While the jaws are still growing, appliances like expanders or partial braces correct structural problems: crossbites, severe crowding, harmful habits, and jaws growing out of proportion. The goal is a foundation that adult teeth can erupt into properly.
The resting period
Appliances come out, retainers hold the progress, and we watch the remaining adult teeth erupt through free monitoring visits. No treatment happens that does not need to.
Phase 2: finish the smile (usually the early teens)
Full braces or aligners align every tooth into its final position. Because Phase 1 solved the structural problems, Phase 2 is typically shorter and simpler than it would have been alone.
The honest part
Most children do NOT need two phases. One well-timed round of treatment in the teens is the right answer for the majority, and we will tell you which camp your child is in at the free evaluation.