Millwoods, Southeast Edmonton Early Intervention Orthodontics

Early Intervention Orthodontics in Mill Woods, Southeast Edmonton

Early Care for Healthy, Confident Smiles

Early Intervention Orthodontics, also called Interceptive Orthodontics, focuses on guiding young children’s teeth and jaw growth to prevent future dental problems. At Agape Dental Clinic Millwoods, we offer gentle, personalized care for children who aren’t ready for full braces but still need support to develop a healthy, properly aligned smile.

Early loss of baby teeth can occur from accidents, oral health problems, or other factors. In such cases, we use a space maintainer to protect the space so that the permanent tooth has room to grow in its correct position, lowering the risk of future bite or crowding problems.

Why Early Intervention?

According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. At this age, permanent teeth are starting to come in, which allows early detection of potential issues and guidance of jaw and teeth growth. Waiting until all adult teeth have emerged can sometimes make treatment more complex.

Early intervention helps:

• Support natural growth: Guide teeth and jaws into better alignment, improving chewing and speech.
• Prevent bigger problems: Treating concerns early can stop minor issues from turning into more serious orthodontic problems.
• Make future treatment easier: Early care can reduce the length and complexity of braces if they are needed later.
• Encourage healthy development: Properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean, helping protect against cavities and gum disease.
• Build confidence: A healthy, attractive smile boosts your child’s self-esteem.

Early Intervention Treatments and Appliances

At Agape Dental Clinic Millwoods, we provide gentle, child-friendly treatments designed to guide healthy growth and prevent more significant orthodontic issues in the future. These appliances help guide healthy growth and prevent bigger orthodontic issues later on.

• Space maintainers– Hold space for permanent teeth if a baby tooth is lost too soon
• Invisalign Palatal expanders– Create more room for teeth by widening the upper jaw
• HealthyStart Habit Corrector– Helps stop habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing that can affect how the teeth and jaws develop.

Space Maintainers

A space maintainer is a small, custom-fit device that keeps a gap open when a baby tooth is lost prematurely, allowing the permanent tooth to emerge properly.

Why is it used in Early Intervention?

• Prevents teeth from shifting into the space: Keeps surrounding teeth in place so the gap from a lost baby tooth doesn’t close prematurely.
• Guides permanent tooth eruption: Ensures the adult tooth grows in the correct position for proper alignment.
• Reduces the likelihood of future crowding or misalignment: Helps lower the risk of crooked teeth or more complex orthodontic treatment later.

Types of Space Maintainers

• Fixed: Cemented in place and stays securely in your child’s mouth, making it ideal for younger children who may not remember to wear a removable appliance.
• Removable: Can be taken out like a retainer and sometimes includes a false tooth for appearance, making it better suited for older children who can responsibly manage the appliance.

Palatal Expanders

An expander gently widens the upper jaw to create room for teeth and correct bite issues. The upper jaw in children is still developing, allowing us to guide growth safely.

Why Are They Used?

• Create space for erupting teeth: Gently widens the jaw to give permanent teeth enough room to come in properly and reduce crowding.
• Correct crossbites: Helps the teeth meet correctly, reducing uneven wear and bite problems.
• Support balanced jaw growth: Guides healthy jaw development to support proper tooth alignment.
• Prevent impaction of adult teeth: Allows permanent teeth to erupt in the right place without becoming trapped.

How They Work:

The expander is fixed to the upper teeth and gradually widened with small adjustments—new bone forms in the expanded area, stabilizing the results.

Types of Palatal Expanders We Use at Agape

• Fixed Hyrax Expander: A cemented appliance that stays in place during treatment. Parents activate it at home using a small key, following our dentist’s instructions.
• Invisalign Palatal Expander: A modern, removable option that uses a series of custom aligners to widen the upper jaw with improved comfort and flexibility, gently.

Benefits:

• Straighter teeth, reduced extractions: Helps teeth grow in properly, lowering the chance that extra teeth will need to be removed later.
• Healthier bite for easier chewing and speech: Helps to ensure that upper and lower teeth meet together just right for easier eating and speaking.
• Potential improvement in breathing: Supporting proper jaw and palate development can help children breathe more easily, especially if they struggle with mouth breathing.
• Shorter and simpler future orthodontic treatment: Early guidance often reduces the time, complexity, and discomfort of braces or other orthodontic treatments later on.

HealthyStart Habit Corrector

A gentle dental appliance worn at night to help stop harmful habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing.

Why Is It Used?

• Achieve proper jaw alignment: Supports healthy jaw positioning to improve bite balance and overall facial development.
• Improve teeth positioning: Guides teeth into better alignment, helping prevent crowding as your child grows.
• Eliminate harmful oral habits: Helps stop thumb sucking and tongue thrusting so the palate can develop with a proper arch form and adequate space for teeth.
• Support better sleep and breathing: Encourages healthier breathing patterns by reducing mouth breathing and related habits.

How It Works:

The device gently discourages harmful habits while your child sleeps. It is comfortable, child-friendly, and available in different sizes for growing children.

Benefits:

• Prevents long-term orthodontic issues: Addresses potential bite and alignment problems early, reducing the need for complex treatments later.
• Guides teeth and jaws into proper alignment: Helps permanent teeth grow in correctly and ensures the jaws develop in a healthy, balanced way.
• Supports clear speech, healthy breathing, and confidence: Promotes proper oral function, encourages better breathing patterns, and helps your child feel proud of their smile.

Building the Foundation for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

At Agape Dental Clinic Millwoods, we provide personalized early orthodontic care to help children develop healthy, confident smiles. Our welcoming team offers integrated family and orthodontic services, accepts all insurance, provides 0% financing for major treatments, and offers convenient evening and Saturday appointments.

Take the First Step Toward a Healthy Smile

Start your child’s journey to a strong, beautiful smile today. Schedule a consultation at 780-465-1211 or stop by 2603 Hewes Way NW #103, Edmonton, AB T6L 6W6, Canada. Our caring team is ready to guide your child toward a healthy, confident smile!