What’s the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 orthodontic treatment?

As any parent knows, children grow up fast. That means that parents constantly need to find new ways to accommodate their kids’ developing brains and bodies—and that includes their growing smiles!

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children first see an orthodontist at age 7,¹ so the doctor can assess what kind of treatment their little smiles might need to care for their existing baby teeth and to make room for the incoming adult teeth. If your child is around age 6 or 7, you might have heard the terms “Phase 1” and “Phase 2” treatment when researching the best way to care for their smiles.

But what do these terms mean? And how can you ensure your child is getting the proper treatment that’s effective and as comfortable as possible? Well, we’re here to help.

What is Phase 1 treatment?

Phase 1 treatment is orthodontic care for children who are still in the early stages of having mixed dentition, or a mix of baby and adult teeth. This generally occurs between ages 6 to 9.² The goal of Phase 1 treatment is to develop kids’ jaws and/or rows of teeth (commonly called “arches”) to make room for existing teeth and for incoming permanent teeth.³

Two processes commonly involved in Phase 1 treatment are moving teeth and widening the palate, or the roof of the mouth.

Invisalign First™ aligners

If your child’s doctor determines their teeth should be moved during Phase 1, you’ll likely hear about Invisalign First™ aligners.

Invisalign First aligners are specifically designed for kids ages 6 to 10 with mixed dentition in Phase 1 treatment. These kid-friendly aligners are:

Invisalign^® Palatal Expander System

If your child’s doctor determines their palate is too narrow, palatal expansion will be your likely next step.

First introduced in the 1950s, traditional metal palatal expanders work by inserting a tiny key into a center hole and cranking the appliance wider every day.⁴

Today, the Invisalign Palatal Expander System offers an alternative that’s just as effective.⁵ Using a series of 3D-printed expanders that gradually widen to create space for adult teeth, the Invisalign Palatal Expander System gives kids the orthodontic care they need, without you having to manually crank open the expander every day.

What is Phase 2 treatment?

One way to think of your child’s pediatric orthodontic treatment is like building a house. If Phase 1 treatment is like laying the foundation and building the frame, Phase 2 treatment is like wiring the house and designing the interiors—part structural, part aesthetic.

All the important work completed during Phase 1 treatment can leave your child’s smile with gaps. Phase 2 treatment helps close those gaps, align their teeth, and create a beautiful, confidence-boosting smile.

Invisalign^® aligners for kids

If your child’s doctor determines your child is ready for Phase 2 treatment, regular Invisalign aligners are here to help them get a beautiful, healthy smile.

Invisalign aligners:

And most importantly, they help your child gain confidence in their smile as they grow up and take on the world!

Find an Invisalign-trained doctor for your child

Don’t wait to start caring for your child’s smile. Use the convenient Doctor Locator tool to find an Invisalign-trained doctor that offers Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment options near you.