Early Treatment Benefits
Early orthodontic treatment, also called interceptive orthodontics, has a wealth of benefits for both children and their families. By recognizing and correcting orthodontic issues early, the need for corrective treatments later in life can be drastically reduced. Preventing orthodontic issues is much more simple and beneficial than correcting already existing issues. With early treatment, orthodontics can identify potential development issues before they become significant as the child grows and develops.Early treatment benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Regulating the development of dental arches
- Creating space for permanent teeth
- Avoiding the need for later tooth extractions
- Correcting thumb-sucking
- Reducing the likelihood of later tooth impaction
- Reducing or eliminating swallowing or speech abnormalities
Early Treatment Candidates
Parents and guardians are recommended to watch out for certain red flags or warning signs that may indicate that early treatment may be beneficial. If these signs are recognized, parents and guardians should schedule an orthodontic consultation to get a professional opinion on the child’s dental health and orthodontic development.Children may be recommended for early treatment when they exhibit signs such as:
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Speech impediments
- Breathing through their mouth
- Crowded front teeth
- Late or early loss of baby teeth
- Thumb sucking after age five
- Protruding teeth
- Misaligned teeth in resting position
- Crossbite, or jaw shifting when opening or closing the mouth