Orthodontics and Young Patients – Phase I Interceptive Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists and many other orthodontic associations around the world recommend that a child have their first orthodontic exam at age seven, or earlier if there are obvious signs of an orthodontic problem.
Some examples of notable problems include difficulty chewing, biting, or speaking, finger-sucking or pacifier habits that continue after age six, protruding front teeth, tooth spacing or crowding problems, deciduous teeth falling out too soon, chronic mouth breathing, clicking or aching jaw joints, missing or misplaced teeth, weak or prominent chin, or other facial imbalance. Just because your child doesn’t have any of these doesn’t mean they don’t have orthodontic needs. There are many problems that can occur even though the front teeth look straight, while some of these notorious conditions, which aspect intimidating and complex, they will resolve themselves.
Phase I, also called interceptive treatment, will usually begin when your child still has most of the baby teeth and perhaps some of the permanent front incisors. This usually occurs around the age of seven and is known as the early mixed dentition. The goal of interceptive treatment is to save space in the dental arches for the permanent teeth and to help the upper and lower jaws relate correctly to each other. Treatment may involve nothing more complex than a retainer-like appliance, which is used to guide existing teeth into proper positions so permanent teeth can erupt properly, or it may involve the extraction of certain baby teeth to allow adequate space. for permanent teeth. Interceptive treatment could also include a combination of orthodontic treatments. The methods and timing used will be determined by your child’s specific orthodontic problem and unique personality.
Early orthodontic treatment takes advantage of a child’s growth, using it to turn a difficult problem into a manageable one. Waiting until the baby teeth and permanent teeth have come in or until facial growth is almost complete can make it difficult to correct some problems. Leaving some conditions untreated, such as a misalignment of the upper and lower jaws, could result in a discrepancy too severe for braces alone to treat.
However, not all bite abnormalities require early intervention. Many can resolve naturally or can wait until most of the permanent teeth have erupted. Only your orthodontist can determine which problems require immediate treatment, which would be best treated at a later date, and which can be left to nature. That’s why it’s so important that your child get tested at an early age. That way, you have the option of starting treatment when it’s most beneficial for your child.
The important thing to remember is that the end result of early interceptive treatment will be a more stable orthodontic condition and a balanced and attractive profile. The benefit to your child is incalculable. A future article will address Phase II or the second stage of treatment alignment. This would also be the final stage of orthodontic treatment in children. Not all children will require Phase II treatment, but most orthodontists will tell you to expect it. If your child does not need it, you are very happy! If your child requires additional treatment and was not told to wait for it, he is more likely to be very unhappy. It’s also important to remember: Phase II treatment is not “redoing” the corrections that were made during Phase I.
Typically, a patient has approximately sixteen new (permanent) teeth to erupt (come into the mouth) after Phase I treatment ends. This does not include third molars or wisdom teeth. Sometimes nature gets it from perfect to near perfect. Sometimes it doesn’t and further treatment is required. It is very difficult to get a parent to understand this, as most think that their child needs “two sets of braces” and that the orthodontist should have waited. This is not always the case. During the orthodontic evaluation, ask the questions you need answers to. If necessary, schedule a meeting with the doctor and/or treatment coordinator to resolve any issues. Any office should be happy to do this for you. If you have an office that hesitates for an instant, choose another orthodontist!
© 2007 Avis Ward of AWard Consulting, LLC