Interceptive treatment, also known as early orthodontic treatment, is an effective way to correct issues with your child's teeth and jaw while they are still growing.
It is an early treatment that aims to prevent more severe issues from developing later on. By catching and treating problems early, we can often avoid more extensive and expensive treatment in the future.
One of the most common interceptive treatments is the use of a palate expander. This device is used to widen the upper jaw, also known as the maxilla, to make room for adult teeth. This is often recommended for children who have a narrow upper jaw, which can lead to crowding of the teeth and difficulty with biting and chewing. It also helps to improve airway function by creating more space for the tongue and other airway structures.
Another common interceptive treatment is the use of a space maintainer. This is used to hold open a space in the jaw where a primary tooth has fallen out prematurely, to make room for the adult tooth to come in. This helps to prevent shifting of the surrounding teeth and maintains proper spacing.
Interceptive treatment can also include the use of functional appliances. These are devices that are worn to help guide the growth of the jaw and teeth. For example, a functional appliance can be used to correct a crossbite, where the upper and lower teeth do not align properly. A crossbite not only affects the appearance of the teeth, but also can cause abnormal wear on the teeth and jaw joint problems.
Early intervention is key to interceptive treatment
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. During this evaluation, Dr. Danze or Dr. Johnson will be able to determine if your child is a candidate for interceptive treatment and recommend the appropriate course of action.
Interceptive treatment can provide many benefits for your child’s oral health, including:
- Preventing more severe issues from developing later on
- Reducing the need for more extensive and expensive treatment in the future
- Improving the way the teeth bite and chew
- Correcting speech
