Interceptive Orthodontics
Treatment Solutions for Growing Kids
What Is Interceptive Orthodontics?
Interceptive Orthodontics is the diagnosing and treatment of malocclusions as they appear. Examples of malocclusions that are often treatable are: open bites, over bites, underbites, cross bites, crowding and incorrect tooth positions. Interceptive Orthodontics can also improve speech, limit habits such as nail biting, thumb sucking.
What Do These Problems Look Like?
My child has a smile that resembles the above picture. What should I do?
Early Intervention is critical. You should contact us for an evaluation of your child's smile.
How Does It Work?
Every mouth is unique. Dr. Campeas will likely take impressions and photographs. From these, Dr. Campeas can determine if interceptive orthodontics is recommended. Dr. Campeas will also use these measurements do design an appliance (retainer) that is custom to your child, and review the options available.
Can't I Wait And Do Braces?
No. For Interceptive orthodontics to be effective, it is critical that treatment done when your child is growing. Usually, this is the time when your child has a mixture of adult and baby teeth. Dr. Campeas can work with the growing palate and mandibles and create a more ideal bite.
What If I Don't Do Interceptive Orthodontics?
Once the accelerated growth phase of your child’s life is over, it is more difficult to correct bad bites. Fixing a problem such as crowding, can often no longer be done without surgery. Extractions are also often needed. Interceptive orthodontics can also decrease the need and the duration of braces.
If a narrow palate is present as seen here often there isn’t enough room for all of your teeth to fit. This can lead to crowding and extractions. Because the palate is narrow, the smile no longer extends to the cheeks. Often, these black triangles can be prevented with in early intervention. A great example of this is shown below:
Prince William’s "black triangles" noted above are the results of a narrow palate.
