What is interceptive treatment?
Interceptive treatment is an orthodontic subspecialty that tries to identify and treat potential alignment problems before they fully develop.
Your child’s jaw continues growing between the ages of 4-11. During that time, Dr. Yusupov and the team can help direct the growth, reducing the risk of malocclusion and other problems. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends the first consultation with an orthodontist by age 7. No referral is required by your general dentist or practitioner.
What are the benefits of interceptive treatment?
Enrolling your child in interceptive orthodontic treatment offers various benefits, including:
- Creating and maintaining space for the permanent teeth to erupt
- Reducing the risk of dental emergencies
- Guiding jaw growth, improving facial symmetry
- Reducing the need for extractions
What’s more, interceptive orthodontic treatment optimizes your child’s bite and jaw development. That can reduce the risk of impacted teeth and other potential problems in the future.
What are the types of interceptive treatment?
At Amazing Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Yusupov and his team offer several types of interceptive orthodontic treatment, including:
Space maintainers
If your child loses one of their baby teeth prematurely, Dr. Yusupov might recommend a space maintainer.
A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance inserted into the space where your child’s tooth used to be. It prevents the teeth on either side of the gap from moving out of position, allowing your child’s permanent tooth to break through the gumline.
Palate expanders
Some children are born with a narrow upper palate that isn’t wide enough to support all of their permanent teeth.
A palate expander is a custom orthodontic appliance that helps gradually widen your child’s upper palate. During treatment, Dr. Yusuprov regularly adjusts it, slowly but surely increasing the surface area of your child’s palate.
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs)
Sometimes, braces need additional assistance to move teeth into the proper position. Temporary anchorage devices, (TADs), are small titanium posts inserted into your child’s jaw. They provide an anchor point for pushing or pulling forces, like rubber bands, speeding up the orthodontic treatment process.
Does my child need interceptive orthodontic treatment?
Only a qualified orthodontist, like Dr. Yusupov, can determine if your child will benefit from interceptive orthodontic treatment.
After an oral exam, a review of your child’s dental records, and a series of digital X-rays, Dr. Yusupov and the team can make treatment recommendations that align with their needs.
Call the nearest Amazing Smiles Orthodontics office today to learn more about interceptive orthodontic treatment, or book online today.
