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!
Advances in technology have vastly improved appearance issues with orthodontia.
Braces today are made from extremely lightweight and natural-colored materials. The materials that braces attach to – brackets – are bonded to the surfaces of teeth but can be later removed.People can expect to wear braces for about two years – less or more in some cases. Adults are usually required to wear braces for longer periods of time.
Comfort issues
Because orthodontic appliances need to be adjusted from time to time to ensure they continue to move the teeth into their correct position, they can create pressure on the teeth and jaws. This mild discomfort usually subsides following each orthodontia adjustment.
Hygiene issues
People who wear braces must be diligent in ensuring that food particles and other debris do not get trapped in the network of brackets and wires. In addition, brackets can leave stains on enamel if the area surrounding them is not cleaned on a daily basis.
Daily oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing and rinsing are a necessity. Some people with orthodontic appliances can benefit from using water picks, which emit small pressurized bursts of water that can effectively rinse away such debris.
Another caveat: Braces and sticky foods don’t mix. Naturally, crunchy snacks and chewy substances should be avoided at all costs because they can cause orthodontia to be loosened or damaged.
Retainers
When braces are removed, the patient is often fitted with a special device called a retainer, such as the name implies, retains the proper arch and location of the teeth (which can sometimes shift out of position without a retainer).
Space maintainers
Space maintainers are nifty devices that can help teeth grow in normally following premature tooth loss, injury or other problems.
The devices can help ensure that proper spaces are maintained to allow future permanent teeth to erupt.
If your child loses a baby tooth early through decay or injury, his or her other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant space. When your child's permanent teeth emerge, there's not enough room for them. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and difficulties with chewing or speaking.
Other appliances that correct jaw-growth problems
- Bionator – This is a device that helps both jaws grow in proportion to one another. A bionator usually keeps the lower jaw forward, and helps teeth to properly erupt, leading to a natural and correct bite relationship.
- Headgear – Such a device, worn for several hours a day, exerts a specified amount of pressure on the upper mouth, teeth and jaws) and is used to ensure proper eruption of upper teeth and guide upper jaw growth direction.
- Herbst – This kind of device is affixed semi-permanently to both sets of molars, and keeps the lower jaw from shifting backward, preventing protruding upper teeth.
- Palatal expansion device – A narrow upper jaw can sometimes cause a crossbite (when lower and upper teeth don’t fit properly). A palatal expansion device is applied to the upper teeth near the back of the mouth, helping the upper jaw width to expand.
- Upper jaw expansion appliance – Narrow upper jaws also can be corrected with a device that gradually widens them over time.