What Is Interceptive Orthodontics?

Upon examination, Dr. Karr focuses on the entire oral health of your child including space and alignment. It’s not just about cavities! Each checkup, she is observing healthy teeth and gums, completing an oral cancer screen and checking eruption patterns and space for growth.

Interceptive orthodontics simply means diagnosing and treating malocclusions as soon as they are detected. The American Academy of Orthodontics now says all children should have an orthodontic assessment no later than the age of seven.

Example Of Interceptive Orthodontics Include:

• Expansion of the upper jaw to eliminate a crossbite
• Expansion of one or both jaws to create space for overly crowded teeth
• Early removal of specific baby teeth to facilitate the proper eruption of permanent teeth
• Reducing the protrusion of upper incisors to decrease the likelihood of fracture from trauma
• Correction of thumb sucking and pacifier habits

What are the advantages of interceptive orthodontics?

• Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
• Creating facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
• Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
• Preserving space for unerupted teethReducing the protrusion of upper incisors to decrease the likelihood of fracture from trauma
• Reducing the need for tooth removal
• Reducing treatment time