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Early Interceptive Treatment
Early guidance. Healthier development. Stronger foundations.
Our Philosophy
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment is a type of orthodontic care provided to children while they are still growing, typically between the ages of 6 and 10, when a mix of baby and adult teeth are present.
The goal is to identify and address developing bite or jaw problems early, guiding proper growth of the jaws and creating space for incoming permanent teeth. By intervening at this stage, orthodontists can often prevent more severe issues from developing, reduce the complexity of future treatment, and in some cases shorten or eliminate the need for braces later on.
Early treatment may involve appliances that help expand the jaw, correct harmful habits, or improve how the upper and lower teeth fit together as the child grows.
In some children, early intervention can:
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Reduce the severity of future treatment.
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Improve Jaw alignment.
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Create space for crowded teeth.
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Minimise trauma risk to prominent front teeth.
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Support healthy long-term development
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are fixed appliances, meaning they stay in place all the time.
Their job is to hold teeth in place, supporting proper development as your child grows. Examples of space maintainers include:
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Lower Lingual Arch
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Nance
Anti-Habit Appliance
An Anti-Habit Appliance helps your child stop habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting - which can affect childrens’ teeth and bite.
The appliance doesn’t hurt- it simply makes the habit less comfortable, helping your child stop naturally over time.
Hilgers Appliance
Twin Block Appliance
A Hilgers or Pendulum appliance gently moves the upper molars backward to make room for adult teeth to erupt.
A Twin Block is a removable orthodontic appliance made of two parts. These gently guide your lower jaw forward, encouraging it to grow into a better position.
It’s a comfortable and effective way to improve your child’s bite and move teeth, especially while they’re still growing!
Partial Braces
Partial braces are braces that only go on some of your teeth, usually the front or specific teeth that need early correction. They’re often used during the early phase of orthodontic treatment, especially while your child is still growing or waiting for all their adult teeth to come in.
Rapid Maxillary
Expander - RME
An RME, or expander, is a small
appliance that sits on the upper teeth
and gently widens the upper jaw.
It helps:
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Create space for crowded teethCorrect crossbites (when top teeth bite inside lower teeth).
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Balance and widen your child’s smile.
Transpalatal Arch - TPA
A TPA is a thin wire that connects the upper molars across the palate.
After expansion, the TPA helps hold the new width in place and keeps the molars stable.
Together TPA’s and RME’s, make a powerful team - the RME creates space, and the TPA maintains it!
Facemask
An orthodontic face mask is used in growing children with a Class III (underbite) jaw pattern. It gently encourages forward growth of the upper jaw to improve the bite and facial balance. It is used with an upper appliance, often an expander and is worn after school and overnight for best results.
What happens after Early Interecptive Treatment
Early treatment helps build a strong foundation for the future of your child’s smile. In some cases, this early guidance means that no further orthodontic treatment are required. If Phase 2 treatment is recommended i.e. braces/aligners during adolescence, the work completed during early interceptive treatment, often makes the next stage simpler, more efficient, and less complex, helping achieve the best possible long-term result.
Contact
3/434 Cambridge Street
Floreat
WA 6014
0457 253 102
Dr Luke Chow- Your local Orthodontist servicing patients in Floreat, Wembley, Jolimont, Daglish, Subiaco, Shenton Park, West Leederville, City Beach, Mount Claremont, and greater Perth.
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