Early Detection & Interceptive Treatment

The Canadian Association of Orthodontics recommends children have an orthodontic consultation done by age seven, when their mouths have a mixture of baby and adult teeth.

An early examination allows Dr. Kamelchuk to detect if there are any orthodontic problems with tooth development, jaw growth or other potentially more complicated issues. If problems are identified, early or interceptive treatment may be recommended to improve the condition while the mouth is still growing. This lessens the need for longer and more invasive treatment at a later age. Otherwise, Dr. Kamelchuk can easily monitor growth and development and so that treatment at a later and more ideal age can be considered.

Early detection doesn’t always result in early or interceptive treatment, and early treatment doesn’t always alleviate the need for future treatment, but having an examination at an early age certainly allows for a proper treatment plan to be determined for maximum improvement over time.

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Early Detection of Orthodontic Issues

An orthodontic examination may be necessary if a child is:

  • Having difficulty chewing and/or biting
  • Grinding teeth, especially at night
  • Sucking fingers or showing other oral habits
  • Showing crowded, protruding, misplaced or blocked teeth
  • Noticing shifting or clicking in the jaw
  • Losing baby teeth too early

Early or Interceptive Treatment

We focus on interceptive treatment in the patient’s best interest. Early and/or interceptive treatment can help:

  • Regulate the width of the upper & lower dental arches
  • Make space for permanent teeth
  • Reduce the need for extraction of permanent teeth
  • Reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
  • Correct thumb sucking or other potentially debilitating habits
  • Eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems

Overall, early treatment can greatly simplify later treatment, if it’s necessary, resulting in an optimal orthodontic experience.

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Dr. Kamelchuk and his Team look forward to seeing you or your child at Greater Calgary Orthodontics.