If your child has a problem that requires attention, your orthodontist may recommend interceptive treatment. Early intervention, which takes advantage of facial growth and tooth eruption, may lessen the severity of a problem and it frequently makes the completion of treatment at a later age less time consuming and complicated.
Interceptive treatment may be beneficial in:
Avoiding fracture or loss of protruding teeth
Assuring that the jaws and teeth meet properly during chewing and swallowing
Eliminating adverse habits such as thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting and lip habits
Correcting early malalignment of teeth and jaws
Enhancing proper speech development
Evaluating breathing problems that may adversely affect normal growth and jaw shape
Correcting cross bite, tooth grinding, tooth interference and lower jaw displacement
Coordinating treatment decisions with the family dentist and allowing for proper eruption of permanent teeth
Improving self-esteem
