Providing Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment in Buffalo, NY
Interceptive orthodontic treatment, also known as phase one, or early orthodontic treatment is a technique used by orthodontists to help guide the teeth and correct malocclusion (bad bites) using early intervention in order to improve future outcomes. Treating children early on while they are still developing can help correct poor dentofacial development before it becomes a larger orthodontic problem.
There was a time when parents didn’t begin to think about interceptive orthodontic treatment for their children, and instead would be reactive and treat issues as they arise. In the past, the trend for orthodontic treatment was to wait until most or all of a child’s permanent teeth had come in. However, most orthodontic problems are much easier to correct sooner rather than later. This is why orthodontists recommend and insist upon interceptive orthodontic treatment. Now, parents, dentists and orthodontists alike look toward treating children that haven’t quite hit their teen years in an effort to identify and correct orthodontic problems early.
Benefits of Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Certain orthodontic conditions can be treated as early as 7 or 8 years old. Although they may not be able to be totally corrected at that time, interceptive orthodontic treatment will guide the growth and development of your children’s jaws and teeth so they will not require orthodontic treatment later in life. In fact, interceptive orthodontic treatment can drastically reduce the amount of treatment that a child needs to undergo in his/her lifetime. Early treatment and intervention is the key to most orthodontic problems, including the possible complications that may arise later in life. Early intervention is preventive care. You need no explanation why preventive care is a better approach.
Download Our Free Early Treatment Orthodontics Guide
Discrepancies in growth and development may exist in the respective widths of the child’s upper and lower jaws. Ideally, the upper jaw accepts the lower jaw like a door frame accepts a door. Additionally, the upper teeth should bite down on the outside of the lower teeth. When biting all the way down, the full length of the lower front teeth should be visible. Furthermore, your child should not bite too deeply over the lower front teeth or have an opening in the front. If your child is experiencing any of these issues, interceptive orthodontic treatment can help.
The way the bite fits together on the sides is the foundation of our bite. Just like the foundation of a house, it is the most important part of the bite. Even though it is the part nobody sees in the mirror when they smile. The front cusp of the upper molar should fit into the groove of the lower molar so that all the teeth fit together like bricks in a wall.
The most important relationship between the teeth is the fit of the upper canine tooth between the lower canine and the lower first premolar. This is because when your children shift their jaws from side to side when chewing food, or when they clench or grind at night, they glide off of those teeth and help protect their jaw joints. Not only does the fit matter for aesthetic reasons, but they are also important from a functional point of view.
As parents, it is important that you are aware of the signs you should be looking for in your children that precipitate the need for interceptive orthodontic treatment. Above we discussed some very common orthodontic problems that children manifest, but there are a multitude of issues that can also cause malocclusion and disrupt dental facial growth. These can be corrected completely with early intervention and interceptive orthodontic treatment. If you are concerned about your child’s dental facial growth and development, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our Buffalo orthodontists for a full evaluation and treatment recommendations.
Like us on Facebook!
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York is proud to offer interceptive orthodontic treatment throughout Buffalo, Lancaster, Olean, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Dunkirk, East Aurora, and Niagara Falls New York. If you are considering interceptive orthodontic treatment for yourself or a loved one, please contact one of our 7 convenient orthodontic offices to arrange a free consultation.
At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, our reputation as a leader in orthodontic care is based on one thing… Making a Healthy and Beautiful Smile
