“Supporting Healthy Growth from an Early Age”

This proactive approach, known as interceptive orthodontics, aims to promote favourable growth of the jaws, create space for adult teeth, and reduce the risk of more complex orthodontic problems later in life.

By intervening at the right time, we can support facial balance, dental development, and airway health — often simplifying or reducing the need for future treatment.

Interceptive Orthodontics – Early Guidance, Long-Term Benefits

Interceptive orthodontic treatment is carried out while a child is still growing, when the jaws are most responsive to guidance. At this stage, treatment can influence how the jaws develop and how adult teeth erupt.
Early intervention may help to:

• Encourage balanced and harmonious growth of the upper and lower jaws.
• Improve bite relationships and facial balance.
• Create space for adult teeth to erupt naturally.
• Reduce or prevent dental crowding.
• Lower the likelihood of complex treatment in adolescence.
• Support airway development and optimal breathing.

This proactive approach allows us to address developing problems early, rather than waiting until they become more severe.

Jaw Development, Facial Balance & Airway Health

Jaw growth plays an important role in facial structure, dental alignment, and breathing. In some children, narrow jaws or unfavourable growth patterns can contribute to crowding, bite problems, and reduced airway space.

By guiding jaw development early, interceptive orthodontics can help to:

• Support wider, well-developed dental arches.
• Promote improved jaw position and function.
• Encourage healthy airway development.

This creates a stable foundation for long-term oral and facial health

Creating Space for Adult Teeth

Adult teeth are often larger than baby teeth. If there is insufficient space, teeth may become crowded, misaligned, or fail to erupt properly.

Early orthodontic care can:

• Guide adult teeth into more favourable positions.
  Reduce the risk of crowding before it becomes established.
  In most cases, simplify or shortens future orthodontic treatment.

When Should My Child Be Assessed?

We recommend an orthodontic assessment from around age 6. At this stage, we can assess jaw growth, bite development, and tooth eruption patterns.

Not all children will require immediate treatment. Early assessment allows us to monitor development and intervene only when the timing is right.

Specialist-Led Care for Growing Smiles

As a Specialist Orthodontist, Dr Nina Shaffie provides personalised, evidence-based care tailored to each child’s individual growth and developmental needs.

Our focus is not just on straight teeth, but on supporting healthy, balanced growth that promotes function, facial harmony, and long-term stability.