Our team of orthodontic specialists and staff strive to improve the health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and bite. We're happy to provide a complimentary consultation to determine the need and timing for orthodontic treatment. If you would like to schedule an appointment, or have questions,please contact us.
When should a child see an orthodontist?
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time to begin treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by age seven for an evaluation. Although it may not be time to begin orthodontic treatment, regular periodic orthodontic examinations allow the doctors to monitor growth and development, identify any problems before they progress, and anticipate the most advantageous time to begin any necessary treatment.
Why evaluate a child at age seven?
At age seven, the first molars have erupted, establishing the bite of the back teeth. The doctor can then evaluate the bite, and the side to side and front to back relationships of the teeth. If intervention is necessary, the orthodontist can guide growth and development, preventing serious problems later. Most young patients don't need anything more than observation of growth and development while the permanent teeth are growing into place. If that is the case with you, we will enroll you in our Future Star Program, where we will schedule regular examinations to monitor your progress as you grow and your dentition develops.
What are the advantages of early intervention or interceptive treatment?
- Create room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Create facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
- Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Maintain space for unerupted teeth
- Reduce the need for permanent tooth removal
Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not only for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves dental function and health for patients of all ages. Malocclusion (or bad bite) occurs as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment and can affect your appearance, how you chew, and your oral hygiene According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusion can result in a numerous of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping. Cross-bites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear. Open-bites can create speech and eating difficulties. These are just some of the consequences of malocclusion that could affect you. A beautiful smile is more than aesthetic---it can be healthier too!
Irregularities with your mouth and teeth, as well as certain abnormalities or irregularities with your facial features, are typically treated by specialists in orthodontic dentistry.The most common problems treated by orthodontists are related to overbites and underbites. A bad bite is an improper relationship between your upper and lower teeth; crooked or crowded teeth are often the culprit. This is also called a “malocclusion.” A malocclusion, which can happen over time or is inherited, can be treated with such dental appliances as braces, which are designed to restore your oral features (jaws, teeth and lips) into their proper balance. Moreover, bite problems can have an impact on your overall appearance.
Acquired malocclusions can occur as a result of a variety of things, including disease, thumb-sucking as a child, premature loss of teeth, an injury, or obstructive tissues such as your tonsils. Such problems can be minor in nature; many of us, for example, may have one or two teeth that are not perfectly straight or are even crooked. In other cases, bite problems can lead to premature loss of teeth, destruction of bone structures, speech and eating problems, difficulty in caring for teeth and premature tooth decay, as well as emotional distress.
Untreated malocclusions can also cause jaw joints to fall out of alignment; this can lead to chronic headaches, or facial and neck pain.
Symptoms that trigger orthodontics
If you are unsure whether you need to see an orthodontist, consider the following symptoms as a possible cue to do so:
- Frequent biting of your cheek, or cutting the roof of your mouth with a tooth.
- New erupting teeth that don’t come in straight.
- Problems speaking, or problems eating, such as chewing food properly.
- Teeth don’t make contact on one side of your mouth.