A Special Kind of Orthodontic Treatment

SECOND PHASE TREATMENT
Each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. They will stay healthy and look attractive. This is the goal for the second phase of the treatment.

At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase, as dictated by the problem. The second phase is initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted and usually require braces on all teeth. Retainers are worn after this phase.

ADVANTAGES TO TWO-PHASE TREATMENT
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a very specialized process that encompasses tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The emphasis today on living longer, staying healthy, and looking attractive requires optimum treatment results. The major advantage of a two-phase treatment is to provide the opportunity to accomplish an ideal, healthy, functional, and aesthetic result that will remain stable.

The disadvantage of waiting for complete eruption of permanent teeth and having only one phase of treatment, especially for someone with a jaw discrepancy, is having to face the possibility of a compromised result that may not be completely functionally healthy and may not be stable.

All treatment plans in my office are designed to avoid the extraction of teeth. I feel a full smile and proper fit of the teeth is best accomplished when all the teeth are placed in their proper position to each other and in the face.

In some cases when the teeth and the jaws do not meet properly and can not be aligned with the braces alone, a combination of braces and surgery can put them back in balance and create an esthetic smile and proper bite. We are very experienced with this treatment and have an excellent oral surgeon as part of the team.

Many people who suffer from such seemingly disparate symptoms as, joint noises, headaches, earaches, tenderness of the jaw muscles, or dull, aching facial pain often share a common problem. These people may suffer from a family of problems relating to the jaw (temporomandibular, or "TM") joint. These problems are often referred to as TM disorders. The muscles and joints may not function properly, resulting in cycles of pain and spasms. TM disorders can have a variety of causes and, in many cases, can be successfully treated.

Although I will always present an ideal treatment to our patients, there are times when optional treatments or a compromised treatment is preferred by the patient. We respect and honor our patients' right to choose, and will do our best with whatever the final treatment is.

You're Concerned About Infections,
We're Concerned About Infection Control

For an infection to occur, three conditions must exist simultaneously:

1. There must be virulent disease-causing microbes.
2. There must be a way for these microbes to get inside your body.
3. You must be a suitable host.

My staff and I follow the most recent Infection Control Guidelines from the American Association of Orthodontics. We believe that all procedures to protect our patients and ourselves should be based on valid scientific documentations. It has been recognized that the practice of orthodontics, unlike most of dentistry, involve frequent patient contact and NON-INVASIVE procedures (treatment that does not cause bleeding). Therefore, some of the infection control techniques here may be different from what you see at your regular dental office. These techniques are based upon "state-of-the-art" information, and have been carefully considered by recognized experts in the field of infection control.

We practice UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS, which means that we treat every patient as infectious, whether he or she is infected or not.

We STERILIZE all instruments used in the office, utilizing both dry heat and chemical sterilization to destroy all forms of microbial life.

We DISINFECT all other items used during your appointment that were not used inside our mouth with chemical disinfectants.

All clinical personnel use ANTIMICROBIAL HAND SOAP. All clinical personnel use a NEW PAIR OF GLOVES for each patient.

We use appropriate BARRIER TECHNIQUES for an orthodontic office. The use of gowns or uniforms, masks and eyewear are not always necessary, but will be worn during special procedures, like during the removal of braces or when using the high speed drill.

We have been VACCINATED against Hepatitis B., therefore, we cannot contract this infection of pass it on to you.

We believe that the CONTINUOUS EDUCATION of our staff will allow us to always answer any of your questions.

~ Dr. Youngquist & Staff