Interceptive Orthodontics
As your children grow, we will be closely monitoring their oral development, which includes the alignment of their teeth. Having a correct bite and tooth alignment promotes excellent oral health because teeth are easier to brush and floss properly. It also protects your son or daughter's jaw joint from the problems that can occur when the bite is not aligned correctly.
The other benefit of a healthy, beautiful smile is the confidence that it brings. Having properly aligned teeth allows your son or daughter to smile with ease and helps them have the confidence to achieve their goals now and into their future.
What Is Interceptive Orthodontics?
If your child needs orthodontic treatment, we typically recommend it around the ages of 10 to 12. However, for some children, it may be beneficial to correct bite issues which are the result of habits, which is called interceptive orthodontics. Interceptive orthodontics is treatment on very young children whose orthodontic condition will affect their growth to such a degree that time is of the essence. Length of treatment will vary for each patient depending on the complexity of their case.
We typically recommend interceptive orthodontics in these types of situations:
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Crowding
- Severe overbites
Treatment can include but may not be limited to putting braces on a few teeth for alignment. Using a space maintainer to take advantage of jaw growth and create space for adult teeth to come in when a child has a narrow jaw or crowded teeth. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments is used to create the ideal alignment.
Using interceptive orthodontics can help influence growth and development at an optimum time in your son or daughter's life. These corrections are much more difficult to achieve later on in life when growth is finished.
It is essential to understand that most children will undergo a second phase of orthodontic treatment when they are older to finalize proper bite and tooth alignment. However, interceptive orthodontics often makes future treatment more comfortable and efficient and may eliminate the need for extractions where teeth are crowded.
Does My Child Need Interceptive Orthodontics?
As your pediatric dentist, we are watching your child’s development at every routine six-month examination. We are happy to discuss any concerns we see early on with you so together we can determine if your child would benefit from interceptive orthodontics.
If we see a need, we may partner with a trusted orthodontist to determine the best course of treatment for your child.
Contact Our Office with Questions
Do you have questions or concerns about the alignment of your son or daughter’s teeth? We are happy to answer questions so you can feel confident about their oral development. Please contact our office today with any concerns you may have.
