Often habits such as prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and certain swallowing or breathing patterns that can open or distort the bite are better dealt with when care is initiated at a younger age. Interceptive treatment is also helpful when the top jaw is too narrow, not developing in harmony with the lower jaw, or permanent top teeth are behind the lower ones when closing the jaws. Likewise, if a young child’s front teeth protrude excessively or very severe crowding is present a first phase of orthodontic care can be beneficial.
The objectives of interceptive treatment and initiating a first phase of orthodontic care are to influence jaw growth, create more space for crowded teeth, help to correct harmful habits, and improve facial aesthetics. With interceptive treatment, the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth as well as the need for extractions of permanent teeth can be lessened. Interceptive treatment can also simplify the next phase of orthodontic care.
Interceptive Orthodontics, also known as Phase One orthodontic treatment, is a proactive approach to orthodontic care for children between the ages of 7 and 10. This form of early intervention helps identify and address potential dental issues before they become more severe.
At Victor Pardi, DDS, our experienced team may recommend Interceptive Orthodontics if we notice that your child's bite or teeth alignment is not developing correctly. Early treatment allows us to guide the growth of your child's jaws and direct incoming permanent teeth into better positions, making future orthodontic treatment less invasive and more predictable.
Some common signs that your child may benefit from Interceptive Orthodontics include: crowded or misplaced teeth, difficulty biting or chewing, early loss of baby teeth, thumb-sucking habits, mouth breathing, and speech difficulties. If you notice any of these signs, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation with our team.
Early intervention in orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits for children. By starting treatment at the right time, we can help guide your child's jaw growth and tooth eruption, making future orthodontic treatment more effective and efficient.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. At this stage, our team can assess your child's bite, detect any potential issues, and develop a personalized treatment plan to address them. Early intervention not only improves the outcome of orthodontic treatment but also helps prevent more serious dental problems from developing.
Some of the advantages of early interceptive orthodontics include: creating room for crowded, erupting teeth, correcting bad bites (malocclusions), guiding jaw growth and development, reducing the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth, improving facial aesthetics, and enhancing self-esteem during adolescence.
Interceptive Orthodontics typically involves a two-phase approach. During Phase One treatment, our team will use a combination of appliances such as expanders, braces, or other specialized devices to guide your child's jaw growth and tooth eruption.
The specific appliances used during this phase depend on the unique needs and concerns of each child. Our goal is to create a favorable environment for your child's permanent teeth to erupt into proper alignment while promoting healthy jaw development.
After Phase One treatment, we will monitor your child's growth and development closely. In some cases, no further treatment may be necessary. However, in many situations, a second phase of orthodontic treatment is required once all the permanent teeth have erupted, typically around 12-13 years of age.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. At this stage, our team can assess your child's bite, detect any potential issues, and develop a personalized treatment plan if necessary.
Even if no immediate treatment is required, early evaluation allows us to monitor your child's growth and development closely. This enables us to anticipate and intercept any developing problems at the optimal time, making future orthodontic treatment more effective and efficient.
During your child's initial consultation with our team, we will discuss their specific needs and concerns. We may recommend a follow-up examination or begin early interceptive treatment, depending on what is best for your child's unique situation.
Early orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits for children and their overall dental health. Some of the key advantages include:
Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
Correction of bad bites (malocclusions) that may cause jaw pain or discomfort
Guiding jaw growth and development to improve facial symmetry
Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
Improving facial aesthetics by harmonizing the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and face
Enhancing self-esteem during adolescence by improving the appearance of the smile
Simplifying and potentially shortening future orthodontic treatment
By addressing dental issues early on, we can help ensure that your child maintains a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
Thumb-sucking is a common habit among young children and is usually nothing to be concerned about. However, if your child continues the habit beyond the age of 3 or 4, it can lead to dental problems such as an open bite (when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch), buck teeth, or misaligned teeth.
Interceptive Orthodontics can help address these issues by guiding your child's jaw growth and tooth eruption. Our team may recommend appliances such as a palatal expander or a habit-breaking appliance to help your child overcome the thumb-sucking habit while promoting proper dental development.
By addressing this issue early on, we can help prevent more serious dental problems from developing and ensure that your child maintains a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
At Victor Pardi, DDS, we strive to make your child's first orthodontic visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Here's what you can expect during the initial consultation:
Our team will greet you warmly and make sure your child feels at ease in our office.
The orthodontist will discuss your child's dental history, any concerns you may have, and the goals for treatment.
A thorough examination of your child's teeth, jaws, and facial structure will be conducted. This may include X-rays or other diagnostic images.
We'll explain any findings from the examination and discuss a personalized treatment plan if necessary.
The orthodontist will answer any questions you have about the treatment process, expected duration, and what to expect moving forward.
In some cases, we may recommend a follow-up examination to monitor your child's growth and development closely.
Please feel free to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have during this visit. Our team is here to help ensure that your child receives the best possible care.
The duration of Interceptive Orthodontics varies depending on the unique needs and concerns of each child. In general, Phase One treatment typically lasts between 12 to 18 months. However, this can change based on your child's specific situation.
During this phase, we will monitor your child's growth and development closely. In some cases, no further treatment may be necessary. However, in many situations, a second phase of orthodontic treatment is required once all the permanent teeth have erupted, typically around 12-13 years of age.
The overall treatment time can be influenced by factors such as your child's cooperation with wearing appliances, how well their body responds to treatment, and the complexity of their dental issues. Our team will provide you with a more accurate timeline during your child's initial consultation.
After completing Phase One Interceptive Orthodontics, our team will monitor your child's growth and development closely. We may recommend a retainer or other appliance to help maintain the gains achieved during treatment.
Retainers are typically worn full-time for a period, followed by nighttime wear only. The exact instructions will be provided by our team based on your child's unique needs.
We'll schedule follow-up appointments every 6-12 months to monitor your child's progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed.
In many cases, a second phase of orthodontic treatment is required once all the permanent teeth have erupted. Our team will discuss this with you at the appropriate time.
The goal of Interceptive Orthodontics is to set your child on the path towards a healthy, beautiful smile for life. By addressing dental issues early on, we can help ensure that your child maintains proper oral health and enjoys their smile for many years to come.
Absolutely! Orthodontic treatment is not just for children and teens. Adults can also benefit greatly from orthodontic care, regardless of their age. In fact, about one in four orthodontic patients is an adult.
Orthodontic treatment can help address a variety of dental concerns in adults, such as crooked or crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
By straightening your teeth and correcting your bite, orthodontic treatment can improve your oral health, making it easier to maintain good hygiene and reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems.
Additionally, a properly aligned smile can enhance your confidence and self-esteem, making you feel more comfortable in social and professional settings.
At Victor Pardi, DDS, we offer a range of treatment options tailored to meet the unique needs of adult patients. Our team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns and goals. Don't let age hold you back from achieving the smile you've always wanted – schedule a consultation today!