Your Diamond Invisalign® Provider
What is early interceptive orthodontics?
Interceptive orthodontics, as the name implies, is the early identification, diagnosis, and treatment of malocclusions or other orthodontic issues in their earliest stages. This is usually done while the child's teeth and oral cavity are developing, to ensure a lifetime of good oral health.
In the past, orthodontic treatment was never begun until many children's permanent teeth were almost fully emerged (usually 12 - 14 years). It also used to be quite common for dentists to remove permanent teeth to make room for bite correction and a second phase of tooth movement during the teen years.
The Benefits of Early Intervention
Contemporary orthodontic thinking, however, advocated for keeping as many permanent teeth as possible in our patients' mouths. To accomplish this, treating children at much younger ages (often between 7 - 11 years) to take advantage of their growing mouth and provide treatment that will nip any emerging problems in the bud.
Dr. Cheba offers a wide range of treatment options for your child's orthodontic needs: from problematic baby teeth to protruding or misaligned front teeth.
What types of issues can Dr. Cheba treat?
Dr. Cheba is able to correct the following issues using early interceptive orthodontics:
- Early removal of specific baby teeth encourage healthy emerging of permanent teeth
- A misshapen jawbone (which is still soft and pliable at early ages)
- Misaligned teeth growing out of their natural position
- Protruding front teeth
- Crossbite, through expansion of the upper jaw
- Overly crowded teeth, through expansion of both upper and lower jaw to create more room
What can be accomplished?
By treating children early, it's possible to eliminate the need for future orthodontic treatment. Dr. Cheba can diagnose your child's issue and develop a customized treatment plan for them to help foster a healthy jaw, healthy teeth, and facial structure.
Here are a few examples of results of childhood orthodontic intervention:
Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth- Preserving space for teeth that have not yet erupted
- Creating facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
- Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Reducing treatment time
Collaboration, Communication & Planning
Before he recommends action, Dr. Cheba will evaluate your child's smile to determine whether or not they will be a candidate for early orthodontic intervention.
If they are, he will be sure to guide you through all the options available to you and how they will impact your child's smile as well as their long-term health.
Treatment Options
Appliances
Orthodontic technologies have become advanced enough that a wide range of treatment options are available to your child. Dr. Cheba offers appliances that can guide your child's teeth and jaw into proper alignment. With these tools, it is easier than ever to help your child develop enough space in their mouth to allow for proper tooth eruption and movement.
Invisalign First
Invisalign First clear aligners are removable orthodontic tools designed to help straighten children's teeth as they grow. Invisalign First can be used to correct issues with arch development and expansion, tooth spacing irregularities, protrusions and crowding in your child's mouth.