Early orthodontic treatment

Illustration: Milk teeth or in the early phase of tooth change
Fig. 1 Gap holder
Figure: widely protruding upper incisors
Fig. 2 Large sagittal anterior step
Illustration: Example of frontal crossbite
Fig. 3 Frontal crossbite
Illustration: Example of lateral crossbite
Fig. 4 Lateral crossbite

Early orthodontic treatment is when the treatment of misaligned jaws and teeth is carried out between the ages of 4 and 9 (i.e. in the primary dentition or in the early phase of tooth change).

This makes sense

  • if milk teeth are lost too early, e.g. due to caries or an accident. A so-called space maintainer is then used to prevent tooth migration and to maintain space for the permanent successors (see Fig. 1).
  • if a child retains a sucking habit or places the lips, cheeks or tongue between the teeth. This can result in an open bite, for example. It is characterised by the fact that the upper and lower incisors do not overlap. This type of malfunction should always be corrected before starting orthodontic treatment.
  • if there is a risk of injury to the permanent incisors due to protruding upper incisors (see Fig. 2) or a lower jaw that is set far back. The lips then no longer protectively cover the teeth, so that the teeth can be severely damaged in the event of a fall.
  • in the case of diseases or malformations in which growth in the head and facial area is also impaired.
  • if tooth and jaw malpositions are caused by overdevelopment of the lower jaw or underdevelopment of the upper jaw (so-called progenia). Corresponding signs are a cranial bite (edge-to-edge bite of the incisors) or, in more severe cases, a crossbite (see Fig. 3). In a crossbite, either the lower incisors are further forward than the upper incisors or the lower molars are further out than the upper molars.
  • If permanent teeth have not been fitted and it is planned to close the gaps with the existing teeth. In this case, it can be advantageous to take measures at an early age (around 8 to 9 years) to make treatment easier later on.