Orthodontic Care

Care to orthodontic appliances -- headgear, plates, retainers and expansion devices -- are an important part of daily dental hygiene.

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are used for children to keep a space open in the mouth after a tooth has been lost. Often necessary when a child loses a primary tooth too early-usually due to trauma or decay-space maintainers can save the opening for the permanent tooth that will eventually erupt into that space. Otherwise, existing teeth may shift into the space or the permanent tooth may move or turn so that it does not erupt correctly. Space maintainers can be used on the upper or lower arch and may be removable or fixed into position with cement to securely remain in place until the adult tooth is ready to erupt.

Interceptive Orthodontics

Interceptive orthodontics is a preventive form of treatment for a child who still has a combination of baby and permanent teeth. This provides a look at the structures of the mouth in younger children, usually by the age of 7, and gives the orthodontist a chance to identify a potential malocclusion or overcrowding. Interceptive orthodontics is responsible for many problems being caught early, allowing the jaw's growth to be monitored, establishing more room within the mouth if necessary and maintaining space for permanent teeth. This often reduces the length of time in braces when the child gets older.

Additional Resources

• Medline Plus
• National Institutes of Health
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD

Content presented on this website is for general information only. The healthcare provider | Brian Zebrick DDS, MS | is not responsible for any content selection, or any errors, inconsistencies, or outdated information.