Preventing and Correcting Irregularities
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children have their first orthodontic appointment no later than age seven. At ChildSmiles•FamilySmiles, we believe that early interceptive orthodontic treatment is essential to prevent serious oral health issues in the future and creates a proper foundation for normal jaw development and eruption of permanent teeth.
Purpose of Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on abnormalities of the teeth and jaw. Early interceptive orthodontics is a more specific term that involves a phased treatment to identify any abnormalities and intercept them before causing a much larger issue.
With early interceptive orthodontics, our phases of treatment aim to keep permanent teeth in the mouth while correcting bite issues. We work to keep all permanent teeth firmly in the mouth of our younger patients, ensuring that they have a bright, beautiful smile as they get older.
Interceptive orthodontic treatment aims to help correct any orthodontic problems and support jaw growth in children. This type of treatment has two different phases that seek to improve the child’s dental structure and set the child up for a healthy and functional smile. At ChildSmiles•FamilySmiles, we believe a happy smile is a healthy smile.
While not all children need early orthodontic treatment, those who do can benefit greatly from this treatment. Early evaluation allows the orthodontist to recommend a plan of treatment and prevent other dental problems as the child gets older.
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment offers great benefits, including:
- Keeps teeth healthy
- Prevents the loss of teeth
- Corrects bite problems
- Reduces the risk of dental trauma
Who May Be a Candidate for Treatment
Your child may be a candidate for early interceptive orthodontic treatment if they have:
- Crowded teeth: Crowded teeth occur when there is not enough room in the jaw for the teeth to fit normally, causing teeth to bunch up, overlap and twist.
- Gapped teeth: Gapped teeth cause distinct gaps between the teeth caused by the difference between the size of the jaw and the size of the teeth.
- Underbite: An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth extend farther than the upper teeth.
- Jaw irregularities: Jaw irregularities often include abnormal jaw sizes or narrow dental arches.
Phases of Early Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
At ChildSmiles•FamilySmiles, we follow a two-phase treatment plan for early interceptive orthodontic treatment.
Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment
Phase 1, or early interceptive treatment, is done before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. This phase of orthodontic treatment typically occurs between the ages of six and ten. The goal of Phase 1 Treatment is to ensure the child’s jaw has enough room for the future eruption of permanent teeth.
In most cases, this early correction phase can prevent dental trauma or the removal of permanent teeth. The dentist may provide the child with a dental appliance, such as braces or a simpler orthodontic appliance. Phase I Treatment allows your child to avoid and lessen future orthodontic issues and correct current ones.
Phase 2 Orthodontic Treatment
Phase 2 Orthodontic Treatment occurs when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, which is often near the age of 11 or 12. The goal of Phase 2 Treatment is to position the permanent teeth to maximize appearance and function. In most cases, braces are placed on the upper and/or lower teeth to correct spaces and fix misaligned teeth. In addition, braces may also help correct an overbite or underbite.
The improvements made during Phase 1 Treatment often eliminate the extraction of permanent teeth and reduce the time spent in braces.
Visit ChildSmiles•FamilySmiles’s Pediatric Dentists
Our pediatric dentistry team is trained to help children of all ages feel happy and comfortable during their appointment. We make dentistry and oral health as fun as possible, so they grow up valuing their smile.
Have any questions about early interceptive orthodontic treatment? Contact our office today!
