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For years now the philosophy of dentistry has been ‘prevention over cure’, and interceptive braces at Sparkle Dental Boutique, Brentford are the perfect example of the focus on this statement. During a child’s check up at the dentist, any future problems will be able to be detected and the dentist can even know if you will need braces in the future. Rather than wait for the problem to reach a stage where it can be treated by regular braces, interceptive braces can be used to stop misaligned teeth before they become truly noticeable.

When to begin?

The ideal age for children to be referred for interceptive braces would be between 5 and 10, when the baby teeth are approaching the end of their life span and the positioning of adult teeth can begin to be estimated. At this age children should be having regular check-ups. Also, if either you as the parent or your dentist suspect there are any problems with the development of your child’s teeth, it might be best to stop any potential overcrowding or misalignment while  it can still be prevented.

What is it?

An interceptive brace is commonly worn at night and in some cases immediately, making it a better option to braces that are not pleasing to the eye. The brace will take many roles: holding growing teeth in place as they grow so your child will have straight teeth, as well as stopping overcrowding and gapped teeth.

Reduce the risk

The interceptive brace is an example of what all dentistry should be striving to achieve, and while it doesn’t guarantee that braces won’t be needed in the future, it severely reduces the risk. If you have any suspicions of potential risks of overcrowding or misalignment, speak to your dentist or book an appointment with an orthodontist.