Early Treatment
What is Early Treatment?
Early treatment, also known as “interceptive” or “Phase I” treatment, refers to orthodontic intervention undertaken while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth.
The Common Assumption
Many parents in the UK believe that orthodontic treatment should only begin once most of the adult teeth have emerged. However, there are instances where early orthodontic treatment can be highly beneficial for children.
When to Start?
The American Orthodontic Association recommends that a child’s first orthodontic check-up should occur when an orthodontic problem is first noticed, but no later than the age of 7. If you observe anything unusual with your child’s teeth or jaw before they turn 7, it is advisable to consult an orthodontist straight away, rather than waiting for a dentist’s recommendation.
Why Age 7?
By age 7, a child typically has enough permanent teeth for an orthodontist to assess the developing teeth and jaws, providing valuable insight into their orthodontic needs. This early assessment acts as a ‘triage’ to determine the best course of action.
Possible Outcomes of the Initial Check-Up
An initial orthodontic assessment generally leads to one of three outcomes:
- No Immediate Treatment Needed: The child may require monitoring as their face and jaws continue to grow.
- Immediate Treatment Needed: Early intervention is beneficial.
- Potential Benefit from Early Treatment, but Not Yet Ready: The child is not yet mature enough for immediate treatment.
Advantages of Early Treatment
Early treatment aims to prevent orthodontic issues from worsening. This includes addressing teeth that are not developing correctly or are missing, as well as treating conditions like narrow jaws which are easier to correct in younger children.
Disadvantages of Early Treatment
Early treatment does not guarantee that the child will avoid orthodontics as a teenager, potentially resulting in two phases of treatment. However, the second phase is often simplified due to the early intervention.
Early or interceptive orthodontic treatment occurs while some baby teeth are still present. Children should have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7 to determine if early treatment would be beneficial. Addressing jaw and teeth misalignments early can help prevent more severe problems, including permanent changes to a child’s facial appearance. However, early treatment does not necessarily preclude the need for braces or other interventions later.
Problems that May Benefit from Early Treatment
- Underbites: Lower front teeth ahead of the upper front teeth.
- Crossbites: Jaw shifts to one side.
- Very Crowded Teeth: Limited space for teeth to align properly.
- Excessively Spaced Teeth: Large gaps between teeth.
- Extra or Missing Teeth: Variations from the normal number of teeth.
- Teeth that Meet Abnormally or Not at All: Issues with how teeth come together.
- Thumb, Finger, or Pacifier Sucking: Habits that affect teeth or jaw growth.
These issues can be inherited or result from accidents, dental disease, or abnormal swallowing patterns.
Types of Appliances
Early orthodontic treatment can involve various forms of appliances. An orthodontist may recommend a fixed or removable device to move teeth, adjust jaw positions, or hold teeth in place to achieve the desired changes. In some cases, removing certain baby teeth can facilitate the better eruption of permanent teeth, with the timing of extractions tailored to optimise a child’s growth and development.
Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct if identified and treated early. Delaying treatment until all permanent teeth have emerged or facial growth is nearly complete can complicate the correction of certain issues.