NEWS Release 20 July 2007
Two Stage orthodontic treatment is NOT useful
Abstract
Background
Prominent upper front teeth are an important and potentially harmful type of
orthodontic problem. This condition develops when the child's permanent teeth
erupt and children are often referred to an orthodontist for treatment with
dental braces to reduce the prominence of the teeth. If a child is referred at a
young age, the orthodontist is faced with the dilemma of whether to treat the
patient early or to wait until the child is older and provide treatment in early
adolescence. When treatment is provided during adolescence the orthodontist may
provide treatment with various orthodontic braces, but there is currently little
evidence of the relative effectiveness of the different braces that can be used.
Objectives
To assess the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment for prominent upper
front teeth, when this treatment is provided when the child is 7 to 9 years old
or when they are in early adolescence or with different dental braces or both.
Plain language summary
Orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth in children
Prominent upper front teeth are an important and potentially harmful type of
orthodontic problem. This condition develops when the child's permanent teeth
erupt and children are often referred to an orthodontist for treatment with
dental braces to reduce the prominence of the teeth. If a child is referred at a
young age, the orthodontist is faced with the dilemma of whether to treat the
patient early or to wait until the child is older and provide treatment in early
adolescence.
The evidence suggests that providing orthodontic treatment, for children with
prominent upper front teeth, in two stages does not have any advantages over
providing treatment in one stage, when the children are in early adolescence.
Ref: Harrison JE, O'Brien KD, Worthington HV. Orthodontic treatment for
prominent upper front teeth in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003452. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003452.pub2.
Link to the full paper:
READ the Full paper here
