Download what happens now after my 1st phase of orthodontics?

What Happens Now After My 1st Phase of Orthodontics?
Congratulations! We’ve completed your 1st Phase of orthodontic treatment and we’re looking of forward to working
with you as you grow and develop the rest of your adult teeth.
When will I get the rest of my teeth?
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Most children at this age still have 12 or fewer baby teeth, and will have 16 new adult teeth erupt
usually by age 12-13 (not including wisdom teeth).
When will I come back to see Dr. Tom?
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Now that your 1st Phase of orthodontics is complete, it is important for you to return every 6 months for
an exam at which Dr. Tom will forecast skeletal development, erupting teeth, evaluate soft tissue health,
and the retention of the corrections we’ve just completed.
There is no additional charge for these 6 month exams! Please know that additional fees would apply for
lost or broken retainers, other appliances, or additional orthodontic treatment.
Will there be more orthodontic treatment in my future?
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You should know that a first phase of orthodontics usually implies a second phase later, around age 1213 after the remaining adult teeth erupt.
This second phase of treatment is typically braces on all of the upper and lower teeth.
If you have had any braces as part of your 1st phase treatment, they would have been placed on your
adult teeth, and there are usually no more than four front adult teeth in each arch at this age. So more
braces during a 2nd phase would not be to “re-do” what we’ve accomplished, but rather to align the
teeth you have now with all the new ones that will be erupting.
How do I keep the corrections we’ve just made?
We must retain or hold your 1st phase corrections, otherwise your teeth will return quickly to where they were
originally. We’ll do this as follows:
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Due to the special way your treatment was performed, we do not need to use any additional retainers,
etc! Your treatment result will maintain itself without help.
We have placed a fixed retainer(s), which cannot be removed. This retainer is bonded to the teeth in
order to prevent them from returning to their original positions, and it usually remains in place until the
2nd phase of orthodontics begins. Follow our instructions for brushing, and if flossing is difficult, Dr. Tom
recommends a Water Pik. IF you ever notice that the retainer is loose, let us know soon so we can repair
it before your teeth shift.
20-A Creekview Court Greenville, SC 29615 (864) 329-1971
www.drtomsortho.com