Introduction
Graber (1966)defined Preventive orthodontics as the actions taken to preserve the integrity of what appears to be normal at a specific time.Proffit and Ackerman (1980) defined Preventive orthodontics as the prevention of potential interference with occlusal development.
Preventive Orthodontic Treatment is intended to mitigate the development of a malocclusion.Typical services may include dental restorations,temporary prostheisis space maintainers,to replace prematurely lost deciducous teeth and removal of deciduous teeth that fail to shed normallywhen this might allow their permanent successors to erupt more favourably -AAO Glossary 2012
Preventive orthodontics is thus a long range approach.Most patients treated are between the age of 3-12 years.
Prenatal education-Expecting mother
Mothers need to be educated on matters such as nutrition to provide an ideal environment for a developing fetus.
Post natal education
Mothers are advised against prolonged use of pacifiers that can have a detrimental effect on the dentition. They are informed about the importance of weaning.
Proper brushing technique for children and maintenance of Oral hygiene. In infants small gauze is used over the ridge of top and bottom jaws for cleaning. Fones method of brushing is preferred in children.
Care of Deciduous Dentition
Natural dentition are excellent space maintainers.Premature loss of deciduous teeth should be prevented.To do this -
-Caries involving proximal surface of deciduous teeth (not restored early) - loss of arch length
-Caries can be detected by clinical and Radiographic examination.
-Bitewing Radiograph - proximal caries.
-Once detected, proper restoration immediately to prevent loss of arch length.
-Restoration should restore the mesio-distal dimension of tooth
-Contact size and position should also be correct.
Application of topical fluoride and pit and fissure sealants help in preventing caries.
Fluoride application and dental checkup every 6 months
Space Maintenance after the Premature loss of deciduous teeth
According to Mcdonalds 1mm bone resorbs in 4-5 mo.If 1mm or more bone is present overlying a succedaneous toothIf 1mm or more bone is overlying the succedaneous tooth.It is an indication for space maintainer.If the space is >2mm fixed appliance .If <2mm removable appliance
Conclusion
The first in maintaining good dentition is maintain good oral hygiene and control abnormal oral habits which itself will reduce the requirement of orthodontic treatment by a substantial amount.
The best treatment is prevention, so if at the preventive stage itself we can evade malocclusion it is less traumatic and also effective to the patient. if in case we are unable to prevent the malocclusion we must intervene to avoid adverse occlusal and dental consequences. The use of such orthodontics can prevent and stop the occurrence of malocclusion leaving a beautiful arch and a confident smiling face.
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