The growing concern over orthodontic applications mostly grips parents with teenagers who have bite problems. But what if these parents were presented with a golden chance to go back in time and apply these orthodontic miracles when a child’s bad bite starts to develop? It would have prevented a lot, without a doubt. This month’s blog covers early treatment also known as interceptive orthodontics.

So, now what if we told you that the miracle is still possible through interceptive orthodontics? Interceptive orthodontics, also known as early treatment or phase I,  is a collection of techniques and processes that change a jaw’s state during its early stages. Instead of tackling mature bone malformations, interceptive orthodontics gives us a simpler choice. The technique prefers to handle young and abnormal jaw growth by redirecting its growth back to the right track and avoiding the formation of a poor bite.

One of the most common occurrences is when the upper jaw grows too narrowly, minimizing the amount of space left for other teeth to erupt. Delayed treatment prompts teeth to come out misaligned and crooked. Fortunately, orthodontists have found palatal expanders to be instrumental in expanding the child’s mouth roof (palate). Once your orthodontist fixes the palatal expanders, it works overtime, gradually expanding the inside walls of your teeth and jawbone. The process results in a more extensive oral space between the jaw to allow correct spacing and eruption of teeth.

The science behind the palatal expander’s tool targets the bones located at the center of the palate. A child’s bones are easy to manipulate since they are still growing. The device will exert pressure on the bones, forcing them to separate and accommodate more expansion. The gap formed will later fuse as the child grows into his or her teenage years. A child’s growing bone consequently ensures that it fills the widening gap with more bone matter until the palate area is completely fused. Parents who risk delaying applying interceptive orthodontics on children with bites subject their children to undergo surgery. By the time a child is in his or her teenage years, the easily manipulated gap will have already fused, forcing the orthodontist to reopen it using surgical means to apply the palatal expander technique. You can avoid this surgical struggle by using the palatal expander when your child is still young.

Other less intensive techniques outlined under interceptive orthodontics include space maintainer, which is relatively uncomplicated. The tool is applied in circumstances where a child loses his or her baby tooth before time is right. The empty space left by the prematurely lost tooth triggers a shift of adjacent teeth and eruption of permanent teeth at the wrong time and place. Orthodontists buy time by placing a small wire loop within the empty space that cheats nature and prevents other teeth from assuming the position.

These two above-discussed methods are among the many alternatives used by orthodontists in preventing and slowing down impending bite problems. You might want to be a bit timely when applying these interceptive methods for the best results. Experts recommend orthodontic examinations and assessments at the age of 6. Interceptive orthodontics measures and treats problems early, eradicating the need for future extensive and costly orthodontic treatments.

If you aren’t sure that your child needs these interceptive orthodontic treatments to correct and prevent bite issues, call us now. The experts at Texas Orthodontic Specialists will guide you through the decision-making process.