At Preston Dental, we believe that a beautiful smile begins with a strong foundation. That’s why we offer early orthodontic intervention, a proactive approach designed to address and correct potential dental issues in young children before they develop into more complex problems. By starting treatment at a young age, we not only improve the aesthetics of your child’s smile while possibly eliminating the need for complex orthodontic treatment in the future but also ensure healthier dental development that can last a lifetime.
The best time to begin your child’s journey to a healthy, confident smile is now.
Early orthodontic intervention (also known as interceptive orthodontics), is a type of treatment aimed at addressing dental and jaw development issues in children while they still have their baby teeth. This approach typically targets children between the ages of 6 and 10.
From guiding jaw growth to correcting improper bites and making room for emerging teeth, our team is here to support your child’s dental journey with gentle, effective care.
The main goal of early intervention is to correct problems that, if left untreated, could lead to more complex and invasive treatments (such as braces) later in life.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists advises that children should have their first orthodontic assessment by the age of 7 at the latest. This doesn’t necessarily mean they will need early intervention, but it allows potential issues to be identified and monitored.
Just some of the advantages of early orthodontic intervention include:
At Preston Dental Group, our qualified and friendly dentists will assess your child’s teeth, jaw and mouth to determine whether they require early orthodontic intervention.
Problems that benefit from early orthodontic intervention include:
Non-extraction orthodontics is an approach to straightening teeth without removing any teeth. Traditional orthodontic methods often require the extraction of one or more teeth to create space in the mouth for alignment. In contrast, non-extraction techniques focus on expanding the arch or adjusting the size and position of teeth within the existing space, thus preserving all the natural teeth.
Rather than extracting healthy, functional teeth to create space for teeth movement before starting treatments like braces or clear aligners, we often recommend using a palate expander as an alternative whenever possible. Although using an expander might take longer than removing one or several teeth, it preserves healthy teeth and maintains aesthetics without gaps from extractions.
This method can also serve as an early intervention. For children aged 9 and older with a narrow upper jaw, an expander can widen the space, allowing new teeth to erupt in a balanced and aligned manner, potentially avoiding the need for braces or clear aligners in the future.
Adults who prefer not to have their healthy teeth removed before orthodontic treatment maycan also benefit from using a palate expander.
Non-extraction orthodontics is an approach to straightening teeth without removing any teeth. Traditional orthodontic methods often require the extraction of one or more teeth to create space in the mouth for alignment. In contrast, non-extraction techniques focus on expanding the arch or adjusting the size and position of teeth within the existing space, thus preserving all the natural teeth.
Rather than extracting healthy, functional teeth to create space for teeth movement before starting treatments like braces or clear aligners, we often recommend using a palate expander as an alternative whenever possible. Although using an expander might take longer than removing one or several teeth, it preserves healthy teeth and maintains aesthetics without gaps from extractions
This method can also serve as an early intervention. For children aged 9 and older with a narrow upper jaw, an expander can widen the space, allowing new teeth to erupt in a balanced and aligned manner, potentially avoiding the need for braces or clear aligners in the future.
Adults who prefer not to have their healthy teeth removed before orthodontic treatment maycan also benefit from using a palate expander.
Myobraces are a type of orthodontic treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of crooked teeth, often without the need for braces or extractions. The system is typically used for children between the ages of 3 and 15 and involves a series of removable orthodontic appliances that are worn for 1-2 hours each day and overnight while sleeping.
Myobrace addresses and trains children to breathe through their nose, position their tongue correctly at the roof of their mouth, swallow properly, and helphelps in expanding the jaws to their full potential. This creates adequate space for teeth to align naturally, often eliminating the need for braces.
There are four treatment stages should you choose to go down this path:
Stage 1: Habit correction
Focuses on correcting breathing, swallowing, and resting habits to improve jaw growth and straighten teeth naturally, potentially reducing the need for braces.
Stage 2: Arch development
Involves techniques and appliances to widen the upper jaw and accelerate treatment, particularly for children over 7.
Stage 3: Dental alignment
Aligns teeth as the last adult teeth emerge. Consistent appliance use is crucial, and braces may be used briefly if further alignment is needed.
Stage 4: Retention
Maintains good oral habits post-treatment to stabilise results and limit the need for long-term retainers.
As a preferred provider for major health funds like Bupa, NIB, and HCF, and accepting all major health funds through HICAPS, we make your claims hassle-free. Flexible payment options, including Afterpay, ZipPay, and Humm, ensure your child receives the care they need without financial worry.
Are you considering early orthodontic intervention for your child? At Preston Dental Group, our experienced dentists can help treat your little one with early orthodontic solutions, such as dental braces and clear aligners tailored for young smiles.
Book your appointment today to take the first step towards a healthy and aligned smile for your child.