early interceptive treatment

Early Interceptive Treatment

One of the most common questions we are asked is, ‘Why do I see young children in braces?’ Dr. Preston and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children be seen by an orthodontist around age seven. This is the time when children begin the transition into their permanent teeth and when Dr. Preston can monitor any development concerns that may be present and intercept with treatment, when necessary. For some, early treatment will lead to significant treatment benefits; for most, the immediate benefit is a parent’s peace of mind.

Early treatment allows Dr. Preston to:

  • Guide the growth of your child’s jaw where imbalance exists
  • Coordinate the width of the upper and lower arches to one another
  • Create more space for crowded teeth, preventing damage to adjacent teeth
  • Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions as an adolescent
  • Eliminate thumb sucking and other habits which create dental issues and adverse jaw growth

Some concerns important in your child’s history that effect tooth/jaw position:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty in chewing food
  • Mouth breathing (leads to adverse jaw growth)
  • Finger or thumb sucking
  • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
  • Jaws that make sounds when opening and closing
  • Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
  • Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
  • Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
2154 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road
Fairport, NY 14450
 (585) 880-5520
8:00am - 5:30pm
Monday thru Friday