Early Treatment

Early orthodontic treatment, also known as interceptive orthodontic treatment, involves addressing orthodontic issues in children younger, typically between the ages of 7 and 11. The primary goal of early treatment is to intervene during a child's growth and development phase to guide the proper alignment of teeth and jaw structures. This proactive approach can prevent or mitigate more severe orthodontic problems that may develop later, such as crowded teeth, bite issues (like overbite or underbite), and skeletal discrepancies. Early treatment often utilizes orthodontic appliances like braces, expanders, or space maintainers to create room for permanent teeth, guide jaw growth, and correct dental alignment. By addressing orthodontic issues early, orthodontists aim to improve the overall effectiveness of subsequent comprehensive orthodontic treatment in adolescence and potentially reduce treatment time and complexity. Regular monitoring and early intervention ensure optimal oral health and alignment of teeth and jaws as the child grows. 

What Can Early Treatment in Orthodontics Fix? 

• Early intervention, such as widening the dental arch with expanders or braces, can create space for permanent teeth to erupt properly. 

• Correcting crossbites early can help align upper and lower teeth properly, improving bite function and preventing uneven wear on teeth. 

• Orthodontic appliances like braces or headgear can guide jaw growth and correct the alignment of the upper and lower jaws to improve bite relationships. 

• Early treatment can address irregular spacing between teeth, ensuring permanent teeth come straight and evenly spaced. 

• Orthodontic appliances can help discourage harmful oral habits like thumb sucking, which can affect dental alignment and jaw development. 

• Intervention can guide the proper alignment of protruding front teeth, reducing the risk of injury and improving facial aesthetics. 

• Early treatment can modify jaw growth patterns to achieve better facial symmetry and alignment in cases of skeletal discrepancies. 

• Early orthodontic treatment can help prevent teeth from becoming impacted and requiring surgical intervention later by creating space and guiding tooth eruption. 

Procedures Involved in Early Treatment 

Braces or Aligners

If early treatment is recommended, braces or clear aligners may be used to correct dental misalignments. These appliances apply gentle pressure to move teeth into their correct positions gradually. Braces may include brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by archwires, which are periodically adjusted to achieve optimal alignment. 

Palatal Expanders

Palatal expanders are devices used to widen the upper jaw. They are commonly employed to create space for crowded teeth, improve bite relationships, and correct crossbites. Expanders work by gently separating the bones of the palate to facilitate proper jaw alignment and tooth eruption. 

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are appliances used to hold space for permanent teeth that have not yet erupted. They prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into the space left by a prematurely lost tooth, maintaining proper alignment and preventing future crowding. 

Headgear

Headgear is an external orthodontic appliance that may be used to modify the growth of the jaws, particularly in cases where there are significant discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws. Headgear applies gentle force to guide jaw growth and improve bite relationships. 

Functional Appliances

Functional appliances, such as Herbst or Twin Block, are used to correct jaw discrepancies and improve bite function. These appliances are often employed to address overbites, underbites, and other skeletal issues by influencing jaw growth and enhancing facial symmetry. 

Oral Habit Appliances

Orthodontic appliances can also be used to discourage harmful oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. These habits can affect dental alignment and jaw development, and appliances are designed to help children break these habits and support proper oral development. 

Regular Monitoring and Adjustments

Throughout early orthodontic treatment, regular monitoring appointments are scheduled to assess progress, adjust appliances as necessary, and ensure that treatment goals are being met effectively. Adjustments to braces, expanders, and other appliances are made to continue guiding tooth and jaw alignment toward optimal results. 

The Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

• Early orthodontic treatment can influence the growth of the jaws, guiding them into proper alignment. This proactive approach helps prevent more severe skeletal discrepancies and may reduce the need for corrective jaw surgery later in life. 

• Orthodontic appliances such as expanders and braces can create additional space in the dental arches. This space allows permanent teeth to erupt properly and reduces the likelihood of crowding or the need for future tooth extractions. 

• Intervening early can correct bite problems such as overbite (where upper front teeth overlap excessively over lower teeth), underbite (where lower teeth protrude past upper teeth), and crossbite (misalignment of upper and lower teeth when biting). Correcting these issues early improves bite function, reduces teeth wear, and enhances oral health. 

• Early treatment helps address oral habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which can contribute to dental misalignment. Orthodontists can prevent potential dental problems from developing or worsening by discouraging these habits and guiding proper oral development. 

• Early orthodontic intervention can improve facial symmetry and aesthetics by guiding proper jaw alignment and tooth positioning. This boosts self-esteem and confidence and contributes to a more harmonious facial appearance as the child grows. 

• Addressing dental and skeletal issues early can reduce the complexity of future orthodontic treatment. Early intervention may shorten overall treatment time during adolescence and decrease the likelihood of needing extensive procedures like tooth extractions or surgical corrections. 

• Correcting dental misalignments early improves chewing function and speech clarity. Children can enjoy better oral function and may experience fewer difficulties with eating, speaking, and maintaining oral hygiene. 

Early orthodontic intervention sets the foundation for optimal dental health and alignment, potentially reducing the complexity and duration of future orthodontic treatment. Visit Dental Specialists of New York PC at 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155, 110 York Street Brooklyn, NY 11201, or 476 48th Street, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11220, to discuss early treatment options tailored to your child's needs. You can schedule an appointment online or call us at (212) 661-2192.