Early treatment: when should you act early?

The right time to start orthodontic treatment

In orthodontics, the right timing is crucial. Early orthodontic treatment – often referred to as early (interceptive) treatment – can help to correct misalignments of the teeth and jaw before they develop into bigger problems. But when exactly should you act, and which signs indicate that treatment is necessary?

At the Eltz Institut, we rely on comprehensive early diagnosis. From as early as the age of 6, we recommend regular free check-ups. This allows us to detect misalignments early and, if necessary, to intervene in good time before jaw growth is complete.

Why is early treatment worthwhile?

Early treatment can often make the difference by preventing more serious tooth and jaw problems later in life. Jaw growth is particularly dynamic in the first years of life, and this is exactly where we can intervene to guide the natural development process and prevent bigger complications.

Benefits of early treatment:

• Better control of jaw growth: misalignments caused by jaw growth disorders can be detected and treated early.
• Creating space for permanent teeth: in many cases, early treatment allows us to prevent the permanent teeth from having no room and crowding together.
• Avoiding later operations: by guiding jaw growth and creating space for permanent teeth, later surgery can often be avoided.
• Shorter treatment time: early treatment can reduce the effort required for later, more complex treatments.

When should you act? Signs that early treatment is needed

Parents often wonder when they should take their child to the orthodontist. Here are some signs that point to problems with the teeth or jaw and could make early treatment necessary:

Common signs:

• Early or late tooth loss: if baby teeth fall out very early or very late, this can affect jaw growth.
• Crossbite or underbite: if the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when biting, this can indicate a misalignment of the jaw.
• Open bite: an open bite, in which the front teeth do not touch when biting together, should be corrected early.
• Thumb sucking or dummy use: children who suck their thumb or use a dummy beyond the age of 4 have an increased risk of jaw misalignments.
• Mouth breathing: children who breathe mainly through their mouth can develop jaw misalignments and should have an orthodontic examination.

How early treatment works

For early treatment at the Eltz Institut, we use gentle methods to guide jaw growth and prevent misaligned teeth. Depending on the findings, our specialised orthodontists decide which treatment is most suitable.

Typical treatment methods:

• Removable braces: these braces are usually worn at night and help to gently widen the jaw and create space for the permanent teeth.
• Functional appliances: these appliances support the correct development of the jaw and ensure that the upper and lower jaw find the right position in relation to each other.
• Space maintainers: if baby teeth fall out prematurely, space maintainers can be fitted to keep the space free for the permanent teeth.

Why the Eltz Institut?

The Eltz Institut offers not only state-of-the-art technologies and treatment approaches but also many years of experience in early treatment. With more than 20,000 successfully treated patients and a specialised team for children and teenagers, we are the first choice when it comes to gentle and effective early treatment.

Your benefits at the Eltz Institut:

• Early diagnosis: thanks to our comprehensive diagnostics, we detect misaligned teeth as early as childhood and can treat them in a targeted way.
• Specialised orthodontists: our team specialises in monitoring jaw development in children and initiating necessary treatment early.
• Gentle treatment: by using modern, gentle techniques, we make sure that treatment is as comfortable as possible for your child.

Book your free consultation now!

Do you have questions about early treatment, or would you like to know whether your child should already be receiving orthodontic treatment? Book a free consultation at the Eltz Institut now and get individual advice from our specialists. Together we will make sure that your child's teeth develop in the best possible way.