ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS

Interceptive Treatment

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What Is Interceptive Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the treatment of malocclusions, and it involves the use of braces or aligners. The treatment can be used to correct wide gaps between teeth and misalignment of teeth. Interceptive orthodontics, on the other hand, is the act of addressing orthodontic problems earlier before they become more challenging to correct.

8 Ways Parents Can Reduce Their Child’s Risks Of Developing Orthodontic Problems

Book your child’s first orthodontic evaluation – We encourage parents to schedule their child’s first visit with a pediatric orthodontist by the time they’re seven years of age. If you do notice that your child’s teeth seem to be crooked or crowded, it’s always a good idea to seek out the expertise of a pediatric orthodontist, even if your child is still very young.

Wean your child from thumbsucking and pacifier habits – Thumbsucking and pacifier habits can be endearing, but it’s important for parents to also remember that these habits should end around preschool. Prolonged thumbsucking and pacifier use quickly lead to a severe overbite.

Keep a regular schedule of dental checkups with a pediatric dentist.– Taking your child to their pediatric dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months can lessen the risks of orthodontic issues. The sooner signs of trouble are spotted, the sooner a solution can be found.

Establish daily brushing and flossing routines for the morning and evening. – The foundation of your child’s oral health begins right at home with a twice-daily thorough brushing and flossing routine. Start your child’s at-home dental care routine as early on as possible. Your kid’s oral health can have either a positive or negative impact on the alignment of their teeth and overall bite. The healthier your child’s smile, the stronger their teeth will be.

Provide a nutritious diet with plenty of whole, natural foods. Evaluate your child’s diet and see how you might be able to make some smile-friendly changes. Basing main meals around whole, natural foods and limiting processed foods is a great way to start!

Get help if your child often mouth breathes during the day or at night. – Mouth breathing isn’t uncommon, but it can spell trouble if your child develops a habit of doing it. As far as oral health goes, mouth breathing can cause dry mouth, which drastically increases your child’s risk of tooth decay and can weaken their jaw structure. Not only can mouth breathing cause orthodontic issues for your child, but it can also complicate future orthodontic treatment if the habit continues at that time.

Follow through with early orthodontic treatment recommendations. – The average age for braces is between 12 and 14 years of age, but this can vary greatly. In some cases, your child’s orthodontist may recommend early treatment, sometimes as early as eight years of age.

Encourage your child to sleep on their back and practice proper posture. – Two more habits that will have a positive impact on your child’s bite alignment are sleeping position and posture. Stomach sleeping is natural for some kids, but it can gradually cause their teeth and jaw position to shift due to the hours of constant pressure.

Why Is Interceptive Orthodontics Important?

Interceptive orthodontics takes advantage of growing jaws to correct issues like overbites, crossbites, misalignments, and underbites before they get out of hand.

By choosing interceptive orthodontics, you save a lot of money, which you would have used in later years for more extensive procedures that take a longer time to treat.

Who Will Benefit Most From Early Interceptive Treatment?

Children with crowded or gapped teeth, underbites, and jaw irregularities may benefit most from early interceptive treatment. If your child has any of these issues, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Abra Dental so we can properly assess their needs and create a customized treatment plan.

What Types Of Dental Problems Can Be Treated?

The following bone and dental problems can be treated with interceptive orthodontics:

Pros And Cons Of Interceptive orthodontics

Pros

Cons

By taking care of your child's dental development problems at an early age, you are doing much more than treating a cosmetic problem.
Interceptive orthodontics is first and foremost a health issue and prevents the development of more serious problems in adulthood as we have already discussed.
By acting on the bones before growth is complete, it will be easier to achieve good results without resorting to more invasive treatment.
You should also take into account that it will be easier, quicker, and less expensive to carry out corrective orthodontic treatment after interceptive treatment.

Benefits Of Early Interceptive Treatment

The early interceptive treatment provides many benefits, including:

Types Of Devices

There are two types of braces for treating children from the age of 6 years and upwards, which can be differentiated between fixed and removable braces.

Fixed Devices

Removable Devices

Removable plate or false palate: it can be complemented with a grid to prevent the child from sucking his or her thumb, or accessories to extend the palate and move the teeth.

What Type Of Braces Can Be Used For Corrective Orthodontics?

Braces : The most common treatment is the use of dental braces. There is currently a multitude of devices and techniques: metal, ceramic, or sapphire for aesthetic purposes, or self-ligating braces. Regardless of the type of appliance chosen, it is an effective treatment that will correctly position the teeth to achieve perfect occlusion and alignment.

Lingual Orthodontics : More discreet than the previous option, these are also braces, except that they are placed on the back of the teeth for treatment that is completely invisible from the outside. Although it can be a little uncomfortable at first and it may be difficult to pronounce certain sounds correctly, it is an option to consider for pre-teens and teenagers who wish to wear fixed and invisible braces.

Impress Invisible Aligners : Another option to consider is clear aligners for a more aesthetic, practical, and comfortable treatment. As they are removable, they offer better dental hygiene and more freedom for children when it comes to eating. They are not restricted and can eat normally without the braces breaking or coming off. It is also an ideal option for sporty children, who do not run the risk of injury if they fall or receive a blow.

The Phases Of Early Interceptive Treatment

Abra Dental implements a two-phase early interceptive treatment process. Following this process may allow your child to improve the overall alignment of their teeth and enhance their oral health. In addition, sticking to this process may also reduce the amount of time your child needs to wear braces or other orthodontic devices.

Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment

Phase 1 orthodontic treatment typically begins when your child is between 6 and 10. During this phase, we focus on correcting any problems that may be present before your child’s adult teeth come in. This phase may involve using palatal expanders, space maintainers, and other devices to guide your child’s teeth into their proper position.

Phase 2 Orthodontic Treatment

Phase 2 begins when your child’s adult teeth have come in, typically around 11 or 12. During this phase, we will assess how well the phase 1 treatment worked and whether your child will need any additional treatments, such as braces. If phase 1 treatment was successful, phase 2 might be shorter and less intensive.

What Is The Risk Of Not Wearing Braces On Time?

Once bone growth has finished, it will be much more complicated to treat a jaw problem. Wearing simple orthodontics will do nothing about it, and will require much longer treatment.

Adults who have not been treated will need to undergo tooth extractions or maxillofacial surgery. In addition, they will need to wear traditional braces.

Therefore, treatment will be longer, more expensive, and more complex in adulthood, where it is not always easy to find the time and courage to take the step.

FAQ's

What’s the difference between interceptive orthodontics and regular orthodontics?

A: Standard orthodontic treatment typically involves moving teeth into better positions (usually with braces or aligners), and can be done at any age. Interceptive orthodontics uses a variety of techniques to influence the growth and development of teeth and jaws, with the aim of improving their function and appearance. Because it works with the body’s natural growth processes, interceptive treatment is most effective before the onset of puberty (around age 10-14), when growth begins to stop. It is generally not appropriate for adults.

What are the advantages of early treatment with interceptive orthodontics?

A: When it’s done at the right time, interceptive treatment offers results that would be difficult or impossible to achieve at an older age without using more complex or invasive methods — for example, tooth extraction or jaw surgery. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists, among other professional organizations, recommends that all kids have their first orthodontic screening at age 7.

What are some common issues that can be treated with interceptive orthodontics?

A: One is crowding, where there is not enough room in the jaw to accommodate all the permanent teeth with proper spacing in between. A palatal expander can be used to create more room in the jaw and avoid the need for tooth extraction. Another is a situation where the top and bottom jaws don’t develop at the same rate, resulting in a serious malocclusion (bad bite). A number of special appliances may be used to promote or restrict jaw growth, which can help resolve these problems.

How long does interceptive orthodontic treatment take?

A: Depending on what’s needed, a child might wear a device like a palatal expander or another type of appliance for 6-12 months, followed by a retainer for a period of time. Or, a space maintainer may be left in place for a period of months to hold a place for a permanent tooth to erupt (emerge from the gums). Interceptive treatment ends when a child’s jaw stops growing.

Will braces still be needed after interceptive treatment?

A: Often, but not always, the answer is yes. However, interceptive treatment may shorten the period of time when braces need to be worn and can help prevent many problems later on.

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