Orthodontists specialize in treatments to prevent or reduce the severity of developing malocclusions by maintaining the quality of an otherwise healthy developing oral structure. When an issue is noticed earlier, treatment can be shorter and less expensive compared to future developments that are left untreated.
Common Preventative Treatments
Space Maintainers
Primary teeth assist in guiding permanent teeth into position. When lost early due to accidents or dental disease, a space maintainer may be required. If the space is not maintained, other neighboring teeth may shift and drift into their place, preventing the permanent tooth from erupting or causing crowding and/or misalignment when it does.
A space maintainer is an orthodontic appliance that keeps the space open so that the permanent tooth can erupt into its natural position. It is a simple device that can save your child many months of future orthodontic treatment.
Guided Eruption
Crowding may be prevented or reduced if treatment begins while the permanent front teeth are erupting (around seven years of age). This can be done by creating more space for the teeth and allowing natural alignment to occur. Ask our doctors about a space analysis to find out if this is a preventative option for your child.
Early Extraction
Occasionally a primary tooth does not fall out when it is supposed to or simply does not fall out on its own at all. In these cases, the permanent tooth can grow in the wrong location because it does the primary tooth has not been pushed out of the space. If this is the case, then it may be necessary to extract the primary tooth to allow the proper eruption and spacing location of the permanent tooth.
Thumb Sucking
Extensive thumb sucking can cause the upper teeth or jaw to tip forward and can result in a serious overbite that requires extensive orthodontic treatment. With the use of a dental appliance that discourages thumb sucking, future costly orthodontic treatment may be prevented.
Orthodontic Headgear
Headgear is a preventive option used is to correct the way the upper and lower molars fit with each other. It can also be used to create additional space for permanent teeth alignment. Headgear is primarily worn in the home and at night during sleep.
Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a process that addresses physical and facial developmental changes over a period of time. Two-phase treatments seek to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal orthodontic results that will last you throughout your life.
At the beginning of the first stage, an orthodontic assessment is made and a diagnosis/treatment plan is established. During this time, certain appliances are used to promote the second phase of treatment when permanent teeth emerge. Between both phases, the patient undergoes a resting period in which all permanent teeth are allowed to erupt.
The second phase is initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces for about 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure that the teeth don’t shift. The second phase ensures that permanent teeth end up in their final position. When this balance is established, the teeth will function together properly, resulting in a healthy, straight, confident smile. If you live in or around Providence, call or make an appointment today for a consultation to learn more about specialized two-phase treatment and if it is right for you.
