Interceptive orthodontics can be thought of as an intervention rather than a reaction. Traditionally the dental profession has waited to assess a child after all of the baby teeth have fallen out and the adult teeth have come in before considering braces. Instead, with interceptive orthodontics, misaligned teeth are treated as soon as they are detected. By intervening early in life we are able to alter, correct or enhance growth with appliances to allow for proper tooth eruption and alignment.
Children grow at different rates, so there is no one answer for when you should assess your child. In general terms, it is a good idea to have your child screened by the age of seven. At that time there are several key components that can be evaluated and a plan put in place if misalignment is occurring. This allows for issues to be addressed in the most effective manner and at the most appropriate time.
The growth of your child will be assessed to determine how ideally things are developing. To determine this, the airway will be assessed, the spacing and size of the teeth evaluated, the growth of the jawbones and the health of the jaw joints will be measured. Appliances as well as some exercises and therapy are likely to be prescribed to ‘normalize’ growth and give back your child his or her growth potential.