Deviations, Interventions and Preventions in Occlusion-Deviations, Interventions and Preventions in the Development of Occlusion

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Greg Esatrian presented a PACE-guided webinar on early orthodontic diagnosis and intervention in the primary and mixed dentition. He reviewed normal eruption sequences, primary tooth spacing, leeway space, and how early occlusal patterns—such as terminal plane relationships—can predict future class I, II, or III occlusions. The lecture emphasized that early crowding, premature tooth loss, and functional shifts are important warning signs that dentists should recognize.<br /><br />He then covered common developmental problems by dimension: transverse issues like unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbites; anterior-posterior issues such as functional crossbites, class II division 1 and 2 patterns, and class III tendencies; vertical problems including deep bites and open bites; and space problems including crowding, spacing, impactions, and premature loss of primary teeth. For each, he discussed practical interceptive tools such as expanders, two-by-fours, advancing arches, bite plates, tongue cribs, space maintainers, and serial extraction.<br /><br />A major theme was interdisciplinary care and timely referral, especially by age 7, as recommended by the AAO. He also stressed that proper oral hygiene and preserving primary teeth are key to reducing future restorative and orthodontic burden. In the Q&A, he addressed concerns about airway, space maintainers, CR vs CO, class III treatment options, and when to intervene with impacted canines or tongue thrust habits.

Asset Caption

In this course we will review the developing occlusion, including expectations in tooth eruption and orthopedic development. We will identify normal vs atypical tooth and orthopaedic development, and review some treatment modalities to correct these deviations in occlusion. We will conclude with a discussion of the tools available to minimize the chances of such deviations from occurring, including space maintainers and proper tools for optimal home care.

Keywords

early orthodontic diagnosis

interceptive orthodontics

primary dentition

mixed dentition

eruption sequence

primary tooth spacing

leeway space

terminal plane relationships

occlusal patterns

crowding

crossbite

space maintainers