Does your child need Interceptive Orthodontics?

What is Interceptive Orthodontics?

Interceptive Orthodontics is also known as Phase I orthodontics where growth of jaws and eruption of teeth is far enough outside of normal limits that some amount of intervention is required to reestablish a normal growth pattern of jaws in a developing child. 

Interceptive Orthodontics is followed by Phase II i.e. Comprehensive Orthodontics. The goal of Interceptive Orthodontics is to reduce the treatment complexity and duration for Comprehensive Orthodontics. 

Interceptive Orthodontics is not a stand alone treatment and does not exclude the need of Comprehensive Orthodontics. Following are the goals of Phase I treatment: 

• Create properly shaped arches for future tooth eruption
• Reduce/ eliminate the need for tooth extractions for future braces treatment
• Prepare the jaws for more ideal growth before puberty growth spurt strikes in

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends all children to be screened by Orthodontists for growth, development and eruption by the age of 7 and if need be, interceptive orthodontics started in Phase I followed by comprehensive orthodontics in Phase II consisting of braces or clear aligners. Early screening of children at the age of 7 ensures detection of jaw growth and improper tooth eruption problems to be detected at an early stage and helps assure that comprehensive treatment does not become very difficult for the child.  If a malocclusion looks likely, early intervention could prevent it and reduce future treatment costs.

What are the goals of Interceptive Orthodontics?

• Prevent extraction of adult teeth for future braces treatment 
• Shorten the treatment time for future braces treatment
• Improve facial and jaw growth
• Prevent trauma or psychological issues related to proclined teeth during early school years
• Assist in prevention of ectopic and impacted teeth and make ideal space for erupting dentition

Is your child a candidate for Interceptive Orthodontics?

7 years of age is an ideal time for your child to get screened for problems that might need interceptive orthodontics:

• Teeth crowding
• Narrow arches  (commonly due to thumb sucking and pacifier use)
• Early loss of milk teeth
• Presence of impacted teeth
• Inadequate or overgrowth of jaws
• Overbite, crossbite

Interceptive Orthodontics correct the above issues before they worsen or become impossible to correct when the jaws are fully developed.

What procedures are involved in Interceptive orthodontics?

• Space maintenance for the future permanent teeth in case of early loss of milk teeth
• Stopping thumb sucking and pacifier habits
• Planned removal of over retained milk teeth that are in the way of erupting permanent teeth 
• Upper and lower arch expansion to create space for teeth
• Regaining space in cases where milk teeth have drifted into spaces where teeth have been removed previously 

If you would like more information on interceptive orthodontics, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.