Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is designed to treat developing smiles in children, especially when early signs of misalignment or jaw imbalance appear. This approach is proactive, allowing us to guide jaw growth and tooth eruption in a way that minimizes the need for more invasive procedures later on.
Phase One typically begins around ages 7–10, when children still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. At this stage, we may use expanders, limited braces, or other appliances to help correct bite problems, reduce crowding, and influence proper jaw development. Phase Two happens once all permanent teeth have come in, usually during early adolescence. This stage uses braces or aligners to fine-tune alignment and bite for long-term stability.
Early treatment can:
- Make room for erupting permanent teeth
- Correct harmful habits (like thumb-sucking)
- Reduce the need for tooth extractions or jaw surgery
- Improve facial symmetry and oral function
We’ll carefully evaluate your child’s smile and recommend two-phase treatment only if it’s truly beneficial. If your child isn’t quite ready for treatment, we offer a free observation program to monitor their growth and development over time. This allows us to track changes, identify the best time to begin treatment (if needed), and give you peace of mind—without any upfront commitment.
Our goal is to support your child’s healthiest smile with expert guidance and the right care, at the right time.
Orthodontic Expansion for Adults (MARPE)
In the past, adults with a narrow upper jaw often needed invasive jaw surgery to achieve proper expansion. But thanks to modern advancements, MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) offers a non-surgical alternative for many adults with crossbites, bite issues, or breathing difficulties related to a restricted airway.
MARPE uses a specialized expander anchored by tiny screws (TADs) placed in the roof of the mouth. These screws provide stability, allowing the appliance to gently and effectively widen the upper jaw. This expansion creates more space, improves bite alignment, and can even enhance nasal airflow—making it easier to breathe and sleep.
Benefits of MARPE include:
- No need for jaw surgery in many adult cases
- Long-term bite correction and improved function
- Support for breathing and airway improvements
- Can reduce snoring and sleep-related breathing issues
- Often used as a foundation for further orthodontic work
Treatment is customized for your anatomy and needs. Most patients find the procedure comfortable and the results life-changing. If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for traditional expansion or want to avoid surgery, MARPE may be the solution you’ve been waiting for.
TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices)
TADs, or Temporary Anchorage Devices, are small titanium anchors used in complex orthodontic cases to achieve precise tooth movement. Though small in size, these devices can make a big difference—especially when traditional braces or aligners need extra support to move teeth in a specific direction.
Placed comfortably into the bone (usually in the gums between teeth), TADs serve as a fixed point that braces or other appliances can pull against. They’re minimally invasive, placed with local anesthetic, and typically cause little to no discomfort. Most patients describe the experience as easier than getting a filling!
TADs are often used to:
- Correct open bites or asymmetries
- Shift teeth without unwanted side effects
- Avoid tooth extractions or jaw surgery
- Speed up treatment in certain cases
- Improve results in tough-to-treat areas
The best part? TADs are temporary. Once they’ve done their job, they’re gently removed—usually without any discomfort or downtime. They’re an incredible tool in modern orthodontics, especially when paired with other treatments like braces or aligners.
At Lynnwood Orthodontics, we use TADs when they can help achieve better, more efficient outcomes. If your case is more complex, don’t worry—we have the advanced tools and training to give you the smile you deserve.
Motion Appliances
If you’ve been told your child needs bite correction, a Motion Appliance might be the game-changer you’re looking for. Also known as a Carriere Motion Appliance, this small but powerful device is used to correct overbites or underbites before braces or aligners begin—making the entire treatment process shorter and more efficient.
The Motion Appliance works by gently moving the upper or lower teeth into better alignment with the jaw, often eliminating the need for bulky appliances or even jaw surgery. It’s sleek, comfortable, and barely noticeable—fitting smoothly onto the side of the teeth, similar to a retainer.
Benefits of the Motion Appliance include:
- Faster correction of bite issues
- Reduced need for extractions or surgery
- Improved facial balance and jaw alignment early in treatment
- Shorter time in braces or aligners afterward
This appliance is often used at the beginning of treatment and can dramatically simplify what would otherwise be a complex case. Best of all, it allows us to correct major bite issues early—without resorting to traditional headgear or more invasive options.
Dr. Fan will determine if the Motion Appliance is right for you or your child’s case, ensuring that every step of treatment is as efficient and effective as possible.
Myofunctional Devices
Orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth—it’s also about how the muscles of the mouth, face, and jaw work together. That’s where myofunctional devices come in. These specialized appliances are designed to correct improper muscle habits, encourage healthy breathing, and support optimal facial growth—especially in children.
Myofunctional devices are often used to address issues like mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, low tongue posture, or prolonged thumb-sucking. These habits may seem minor, but they can significantly impact jaw development, bite alignment, and even speech or sleep quality over time.
At Lynnwood Orthodontics, we use myofunctional devices as part of a comprehensive approach to early orthodontic care. These appliances are typically removable and are used during key stages of development to gently guide the muscles and jaws into healthier patterns.
Benefits of myofunctional treatment include:
- Promotes nasal breathing and proper tongue posture
- Supports natural jaw growth and alignment
- Helps prevent future orthodontic problems
- Can improve sleep, speech, and oral function
Dr. Fan will assess whether a myofunctional device could benefit your child during their initial consultation. In some cases, combining these appliances with early orthodontic monitoring helps reduce the need for more complex treatment later.
By addressing the why behind alignment issues—not just the what—we help patients achieve healthier, more stable results that last a lifetime.