The Controversy Regarding Interventional Orthodontics

Controversy Regarding Early Interventional Orthodontics

As it happens with any new medical procedure or line of treatment, there are proponents and opponents of the same thing. In the case of early interventional orthodontics, however, the two sides seem particularly at odds with each other.

Orthodontists who are not convinced about the advantages of this procedure see this as an expensive and frankly unnecessary way to tie people to their practice. They say that since most children who receive phase 1 treatment are going to need fixed braces anyway, the whole procedure becomes moot.

There are several studies that have shown that while treatment times and the need for planned extractions is reduced after phase 1 treatment, it is by no means a certainty.

The other objection that orthodontists bring up is the fact that all children go through something that is referred to as the "Ugly Duckling" stage. During this time, when the milk teeth have started falling out and a few of the permanent teeth have started to erupt, some malocclusions exist commonly, which take care of themselves as the growth progresses.

Thus, by starting orthodontic treatment early, nature is not allowed to play its part and ‘treat’ some of the malocclusions that may not have needed any intervention at all.

How Are Interventional Orthodontics Performed?  

A variety of Removable appliances and some fixed orthodontic appliances are used to achieve the aims of interventional orthodontics. The exact kind of treatment depends on the nature of malocclusion being dealt with. In most cases, patients will be required to wear Removable appliances that help in correcting a deleterious habit or promote the development of the jaw bones.

This is also one of the biggest drawbacks of the treatment. Removable orthodontic appliances can be extremely tough for people to get used to. Adults who are required to wear corrective appliances find it tough to have to wear these appliances for an extended period of time, hence expecting children as young as six to wear it is being quite optimistic.

Fixed orthodontic treatment, on the other hand, does not require any compliance from the patient since they are unable to remove the braces at all.

READ Dental Braces For Adults: What Do You Need To Know?

The high rate of failure due to poor compliance was seen in interventional orthodontics is something that makes people question the very essence of dentistry and sometimes puts them off treatment altogether.

Conclusion

The field of interventional orthodontics is a relatively young field. It is something that is being hailed by some orthodontists as a great advancement and by others as an unnecessary treatment protocol. How does a patient make the decision in such a situation?

The best answer is to talk to a trusted doctor, understand the pros and cons of the treatment protocol and then follow their direction.

Traditional orthodontic treatment has been very effective in treating a number of malocclusions, however, it has not done enough to try and prevent these malocclusions from occurring in the first place. This is the gap that interventional orthodontics is trying to fill.