What is interceptive (Phase I) orthodontic treatment and is it necessary?
The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to make room in your child’s mouth for your child’s permanent teeth. Your orthodontist may expand your child’s palate, and try to start to correct overbites and underbites. As noted above orthodontic problems arise because human teeth do not grow at the same rate as human mouths. Your children’s mouth will be growing a lot between ages 8 and 12. It is important to make sure that there is room for your children’s permanent teeth. Other aspects of interceptive treatment include treatment for finger sucking habits, correcting protruded (buck) teeth that can get easily damaged or hurt and space maintenance therapy.
