Interceptive orthodontics is a phase of orthodontic treatment aimed at recognizing and eliminating potential irregularities in the developing dentofacial complex. It is carried out when signs of a malocclusion have appeared but before it is fully developed. Serial extraction of deciduous and sometimes permanent teeth is commonly used to guide erupting teeth into better positions. The goal is to intercept developing problems and achieve stable results through more physiologic tooth movement compared to other forms of treatment. While it can reduce treatment time and need for later braces, interceptive orthodontics requires clinical judgment and monitoring over multiple years.

1. Interceptive Orthodontics
• Preventive Vs. Interceptive
• Preventive- Elimination of a factors that may lead to malocclusion
• Interceptive- At a time when the malocclusion has already developed or is developing
• Preventive- Undertaken when the dentition and occlusion are perfectly normal
• Interceptive- carried out when the signs and symptoms of a malocclusion have appeared
• Definition
Interceptive Orthodontics:
Phase of the science and art of orthodontics employed to recognize and eliminate potential irregularities and
malposition of the developing dento-facial complex.
Procedure undertaken:
• Serial extraction
• Correction of developing crossbite
• Control of abnormal habits
• Space regaining
• Muscle exercise
• Interception of skeletal malrelation
• Removal of soft tissue or bony barrier to enable eruption of teeth
• Serial Extraction
• Usually initiated in the early mixed dentition when one can recognize and anticipate potential irregularities in
the dento-facial complex.
• Include: extraction of deciduous teeth and later specific permanent teeth.
• Goal: to guide the erupting permanent teeth into a more favorable position.
• Rationale
• Based on 2 basic principles:
1.Arch length- tooth material discrepancy
Whenever there is an excess of tooth material as compared to the arch length, it is advisable to reduce the
tooth material in order to achieve stable result.
2. Physiologic tooth movement

2. Tooth will have tendency to move towards an extraction space
Teeth which are in the process of eruption are guided by the natural forces into the extraction spaces.
• Indication
1. Class I malocclusion showing……………. Between skeletal and muscular system
2. Arch length deficiency as compared to the Tooth material is the most important indication for serial
extraction. Arch length deficiency is indicated by the presence of the following:
• Arch length deficiency
a. Absence of physiologic spacing
b. Unilateral/ bilateral premature loss of deciduous canines with midline shift
c. Malpositioned/impacted lateral incisor that erupt palatally
d. Markedly irregular/ crowded upper or lower anteriors
e. Localized gingival recession
f. Ectopic eruption of teeth
g. Mesial migration of buccal segment
h. Abnormal eruption
i. Lower anterior flaring
j. ankylosis
3. Where growth is not enough to over….the discrepancy between tooth material and basal bone
4. Patients with straight profile and pleasing appearance
• contraindication
a. Class 2 & 3 malocclusion with skeletal abnormalities
b. Spaced dentition
c. Anodontia/ oligodontia
d. Open bite and deep bite
e. Midline diastema
f. Class 1 malocclusion with minimal space deficiency
g. Unerupted malformed teeth (ex. Dilaceration)

3. h. Extensive caries or heavily filled first permanent molars
i. Mild disporpotion between arch length and tooth material that can be treated by proximal stripping
• Advantages
a.Treatment is more physiologic as it involves guidance of teeth into normal positions making use of the physiologic
forces
b.Avoid physiological trauma
c.Eliminate/reduces duration of multiband fixed treatment
d. Better oral hygiene
e. Health of investing tissue is preserved
f. Lesser retention period
g. More stable result
• disadvantages
a.Requires clinical judgment
There is no single approach that can be universally applied to all patients
b. Treatment time is prolonged as the treatment is carried out in stages spread over 2-3 years
c. Requires the patient to visit dentist often
d. Tendency to developing tongue thrust
e. Extraction of buccal teeth can result in deepening of the bite
f. If it’s not carried out properly there is a risk of arch length reducing by mesial migration of the buccal segment
g. Ditching or space can exist between the canine and 2 nd premolar
h. Require correction of axial inclination of teeth