Interceptive orthodontics is the first step of orthodontic treatment and is recommended in the early stages of a child’s malocclusion.
Certain malocclusions, such as those caused by prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use, narrow dental arches and crossbites benefit from this type of treatment.
Some examples of early interceptive orthodontics are space maintainers after the premature loss of a baby tooth, expansion of the upper jaw to ameliorate a crossbite, or disking of baby teeth to allow proper alignment of permanent teeth during their eruption.
Advantages of early orthodontic treatment are reduction of braces time in the adolescent phase of treatment, and better quality of life by improving function and esthetics at an early stage, and may prevent the need for removal of permanent teeth in severe cases of narrow arches.
