There are many benefits to early identification and intervention when it comes to orthodontic issues, even though misaligned or crowded primary teeth will eventually be replaced. Here, our Smile Town Langley dentists walk you through the benefits of interceptive orthodontics.
Orthodontic intervention used to happen most often when most of a child's permanent teeth had emerged: between 12 and 14 years old.
Modern orthodontic thinking, however, advocates for orthodontic intervention before most permanent teeth have come in: beginning between the ages of 7 and 11.
This is called interceptive orthodontics.
Interceptive Orthodontics?
Interceptive orthodontics refers to the identification of and intervention in orthodontic issues at their earliest stages.
This practice allows orthodontists to take advantage of the growth and change in young children's mouths. By doing this, they can avoid procedures like the removal of permanent teeth down the road.
Early Identification
You, your dentist, and your child's orthodontist can take preventative measures by monitoring how your child's primary teeth sit in their mouth and their permanent teeth begin to emerge.
If you notice a possible issue with your child's teeth, you should ask your child's dentist for their assessment and then schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.
Often, the result will be that any problem should to be tracked, but that no early intervention is needed.
Sometimes, however, orthodontic treatment on their primary teeth may be required.
Early Orthodontic Interventions
An orthodontist may recommend any number of dental appliances such as trays, braces, or elastics to combat issues in your child's oral development.
Common issues that these interventions will address include: fixing issues caused by harmful habits like thumb-sucking, creating space for permanent teeth and correcting overbites, underbites and crossbites.
Often Children Will Need Braces, Even After Early Interventions
Sometimes the need for braces or other dental appliances later on is eliminated, but usually longer-term orthodontic treatment is recommended.
Early orthodontic intervention prepares your child's mouth for more successful and sometimes even quicker treatment in the future.