Reduces the likelihood of complications
Specialist Early Orthdontics in Loughborough
Interceptive treatment, sometimes referred to as early treatment, describes any treatment recommended by the orthodontist when your child is between 7-10 years of age. During this time, almost all children will have a mixture of adult and baby teeth still present.
Early Orthodontic Treatment
The aim is to intervene early and intercept any abnormalities in the development of the teeth and bite. Treatment is more effective while your children are still growing.
Child Friendly Practice in Loughborough
Expansion
Rapid Maxillary Expansion aims to widen the upper jaw. Generally, expansion is more stable in the upper jaw compared with the lower jaw. The expansion can be done with removable or fixed braces, and often includes a spring or screw/key mechanism used to widen the jaw.
Creating additional space in the upper arch can help improve crowding, bite issues and overall dental development. Early intervention can also reduce the need for more complex orthodontic treatment later on.
Habit Cessation for Thumb Sucking
Thumb or digit sucking habits are common in children aged 5 and under. Most children will outgrow their habit by the time they are 7, however research has shown that some children will continue after this age. The good news is if the habit is stopped before the age of 10, in most cases any unwanted effects on the bite or teeth will improve.
We can provide gentle support and habit-breaking appliances where needed to help children stop thumb sucking successfully. Addressing the habit early can encourage healthier jaw growth and tooth positioning.
Interceptive extractions
The idea of your child having an extraction will always worry a parent. However, extractions of baby teeth or adult teeth to help the underlying adult teeth erupt into the correct position is sometimes recommended.
For instance, the most common adult tooth to become stuck or impacted is the permanent upper canine. If left untreated, this can cause damage to the adjacent teeth or move into a position where it cannot be aligned. By simply extracting the baby canine tooth, the permanent canine tooth is almost twice as likely to erupt into the correct position.
Growth modification
This treatment uses functional and myofunctional appliances to enhance the growth of the lower jaw, correct issues with the bite and improve the profile.
We know that these braces don’t work by growing the lower jaw. They actually enhance any growth potential, but move the teeth in blocks.
This type of treatment is most successful before or during the adolescent growth spurt. In girls this is from 10–13 years and in boys from 11–14 years.
By guiding growth at the right stage of development, we can often improve jaw relationships and facial balance more effectively. Early treatment may also reduce the complexity of orthodontic care required in the future.
