Interceptive

Treatment
ORTHODONTICS

Why Does My
Child Need
Interceptive
Orthodontics?
Parents and patients need to understand that when interceptive orthodontics is
performed there is usually more than one phase of of treatment. Phase two will begin
when all the permanent teeth are in place. Going through phases allows for the
second phase to be shorter in duration, since the major corrections happened in the
interceptive orthodontics phase. Sometimes interceptive orthodontics are needed to
correct problems related to skeletal development, and sometimes it is needed as a
direct result of oral habits.

Now No Longer Taking Medication Patient No Longer In Pain !

Interceptive Orthodontics is a phased type of orthodontics. Growth is utilized to correct

developmental occlusion problems. Staging the treatment can correct immediate
problems and future issues. Interceptive orthodontics simply means diagnosing and
treating malocclusions as soon as they are detected. The American Academy of
Orthodontics now says all children should have an orthodontic assessment no later than
the age of seven.
In the past, orthodontic treatment did not begin until around age 12-14. This is when all
the permanent teeth are already erupted or very close to it. It was also common for your
dentist to remove permanent teeth to correct the bite and allow for room for the final
phase of tooth movement. Modern orthodontists now advocate a way to keep
permanent teeth, with phased interceptive orthodontics. In interceptive orthodontics,
children are treated at much earlier ages (usually between age 7-11 years old) to take
advantage of continuing growth. Patients at this age tend to be more receptive to, and
compliant with treatment. Interceptive orthodontics allows for fewer teeth to be
extracted and also allows for better end results.

Danger Of Thumb Sucking

If thumb sucking persists after
the primary Teeth have
erupted, it can change the
growth Patterns of the jaw,
And cause significant
misalignment of the teeth.

Open bite caused

By thumb sucking

Correction of Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Habits.

Persistent thumb sucking, and extended use of a pacifier effect the development of the mouth.
Thumb sucking, and pacifier use after the age of three could result in:
a reshaped jawbone given its soft and pliable nature
mis-aligned teeth growing out of position
narrower dental arches
extreme tongue thrust habits
protruding front teeth which may be more susceptible to injury
"open bites" that would require extensive orthodontic treatment to straighten

Crowding
Teeth rotate because is not
Enough space for them to fit

Some developmental
issues requiring
interceptive
orthodontics include:
constricted palate, causes
misalignment of back teeth commonly
called cross bite
crowding of teeth
uneven development of upper and
lower jaw

Examples of Interceptive Orthodontics:

Expansion of the upper jaw to eliminate a crossbite

Expansion of one or both jaws to create space for overly crowded teeth
Early removal of specific baby teeth to facilitate the proper eruption of permanent
teeth
Maintaining space for permanent teeth after the premature loss of a baby tooth
Reducing the protrusion of upper incisors to decrease the likelihood of fracture from
trauma

What are the

advantages
of interceptive
orthodontics?
Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are :
Creating room for crowded,
erupting teeth
Creating facial symmetry by
influencing jaw growth
Reducing the risk of trauma to
protruding front teeth
Preserving space for unerupted
teeth
Expanding the palate to properly
position back molars
Reducing the need for tooth
removal
Reducing treatment time