Interceptive Children’s Orthodontics

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre in Sutton our highly trained dentists provide dental check-ups for paediatric patients every 6 months. It is important to monitor children’s teeth as the baby teeth fall out and make room for the adult teeth. This is a stage where any potential problems can be detected and interventions performed quickly to minimise future orthodontic bite issues.

Sometimes children’s permanent teeth can become impacted and require assistance from a dentist to dislodge before damaging neighbouring teeth. Occasionally there is insufficient space for a permanent tooth to erupt into the mouth and if a dentist can remove the neighbouring primary tooth any future bite issues can be immediately resolved.

A simple spring brace can help fix an upper tooth that erupted inside the bottom teeth. Sometimes the newly erupted teeth do not bite together well and the jaw may shift from one side to another when closing. This is known as a cross bite with deviation which can cause considerable discomfort to the jaw requiring correction with a simple brace.

Regular 6 monthly dental visits during childhood is critically important to prevent the need for further orthodontic treatment. At the very least early intervention will help to simplify any necessary future orthodontic treatment.

Space Maintainers

At Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre in Sutton we know that primary teeth should remain in children’s mouths until they’re 10-12 years old. These primary teeth help children eat food but also hold the space for the child’s permanent teeth to erupt into. If a baby tooth is lost early it can allow the teeth in front and behind the gap to move into the space creating orthodontic crowding issues. This means there will be no space preserved for the permanent tooth to erupt into. This is result in orthodontic treatment being needed.

Immediate placement of a space maintainer after the removal/extraction of a baby tooth helps prevent movement of teeth on either side into the space. Space maintainers are not always necessary following the extraction of a baby tooth however your dentist in Smile Hub Dental Clinic will advise you if a space maintainer is recommended. Space maintainers can only be placed in patients with excellent oral hygiene.

What is interceptive orthodontics?

Interceptive orthodontics is the early diagnoses and intervention for children’s future orthodontic dental problems including underbite, overbite, crowded teeth and jaw deformities. Interceptive orthodontics is usually achieved with a simple fixed or removable appliance that can fix orthodontic problems before adult teeth even grow in.

What age should a child see an orthodontist?

There is not a definite age for orthodontics as children, teens and adults can all have orthodontic treatment at different ages. The best age to start orthodontic treatment is usually around 7 or 8 when adult teeth are starting to come down.

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

Normal orthodontics usually involves pushing teeth into a better alignment usually with braces and can be done at any age. Interceptive orthodontics uses a variety of methods to influence the growth and development of the teeth and jaw. This is to improve the appearance and function of the teeth and jaw. Interceptive orthodontics is most effective at the age of 10 to 14 when growth begins to stop as it needs to work with body’s normal growth process.

What are the advantages of early treatment with interceptive orthodontics?

If interceptive orthodontics is done at the right age it can provide results that would be difficult to impossible later in life. If left too long it can lead to invasive treatment such as jaw surgery or extractions. It is recommended that children have their first orthodontic consultation at the age of 7.

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

There are many issues that can be very common and that interceptive orthodontics can fix. Crowding is one common problem which is when there is not enough room in the mouth and teeth overlap on each other. In this situation a palate expander can be placed to make more room in the jaw. A bad bite called malocclusion is another common issue that can be fixed with an appliance which restricts the jaw from growing.