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ORTHODONTICS

momWhat is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the specialty branch of dentistry that focuses entirely on growth of the jaws, development of the bite and treatment of dental and facial irregularities related to the jaws. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion" which literally means "bad bite". The practice of orthodontics requires extensive professional skill in the diagnosis, design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into their proper alignment and to achieve facial balance.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that all children have an orthodontic consult by age seven. This does not mean all children will need treatment at this age, but this determines who could benefit from early intervention.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY ORTHODONTIC SCREENING

Why screen by age 7?
· The posterior occlusion is established when the first molars erupt. At that time, one can evaluate the antero-posterior and transverse relationships of the occlusion, as well as discover any functional shifts.
· Incisors have begun to erupt and problems can be detected such as crowding, habits, deep bites, open bites and some facial asymmetries.

THE BENEFITS OF EARLY TREATMENT

For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:
· influence jaw growth in a positive manner
· harmonize width of the dental arches
· improve eruption patterns
· lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors
· correct harmful oral habits
· improve aesthetics and self-esteem
· simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
· reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
· improve some speech problems
· preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth

How long does Orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the severity of the problem, the cooperation of the patient and the growth of the patients facial structures.

What is the cost of orthodontic treatment?
The cost of Orthodontic treatment is quite variable depending on several factors. Special radiographs and records are necessary to determine the exact costs. Many dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the expenses. Interest-free financing is available to facilitate payment.

Is there an age limit to orthodontic treatment?
There is NO age limit to orthodontic treatment. Although there is no age limit, there are conditions that could prevent adults from being a suitable candidate for orthodontic treatment. For example: advanced periodontal (gum) disease. It is recommended that age seven is a good time for your child’s first orthodontic examination. At this age, certain procedures can be done to lessen or eliminate the need for braces at an older age.

Does my child need to have all of their permanent teeth before they can be considered for orthodontics?
Actually, it is best if your child still has some of their baby teeth because there will be definite advantages to correct many problems at an early age. Holding off until your child has lost their baby teeth can complicate a rather simple problem.

What is "Phase I" or early interceptive orthodontic treatment and why is it necessary?
Early treatment or "Phase I" helps control the position of the teeth and the jaws in growing individuals. Dentofacial orthopedic treatment is more successful prior to the adolescent growth spurt. top

Why should I be concerned about my child’s bite?
A bad bite can be detrimental to the future of your child’s mouth. Dental restorations, such as crowns or bridges are often impossible for a dentist to perform without prior repositioning of the teeth. Properly aligned and
supported teeth are healthier, easier to clean and therefore more likely to last throughout a patient’s lifetime.

mom2What causes crooked teeth?
Crowded teeth, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, an obstructed airway caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils can all contribute to poor tooth positioning. In addition there are the hereditary
factors such as extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, spacing, and/or small jaws. All of these can cause problems.

What part does heredity play?
Heredity is a complicated combination of factors primarily affecting the skeletal relationship more than the teeth. Have your dentist evaluate your child’s bite and proceed from there.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends seven years of age as a good time for your child’s first orthodontic examination. At this early age conditions may be found that can be corrected by interceptive measures. This often will lessen or eliminate the need for help at an older age. Please don’t wait until your child has lost all of his or her baby teeth. There are definite advantages to correcting many problems at an early age. Waiting until all baby teeth are lost can often complicate an otherwise fairly simple problem.

How do you straighten teeth?
Tooth movement is actually a normal response to light, continuous and controlled pressure. Pressure is applied by using a variety of orthodontic appliances, the most common being a bracket attached to the teeth and connected to an archwire. Periodic changing of these archwires puts pressure on the teeth. At different stages of treatment your child may wear a headgear, elastics, a positioner or a retainer.

How long will treatment take?
Orthodontic correction can vary from the comparatively simple closing of spaces in a few months, to the complex realignment of unsightly and poorly functioning teeth. In the young child or the adolescent, treatment is as much a matter of timing and guidance as anything else. The normal treatment time for comprehensive treatment usually varies from eighteen months to three years depending on the complexity of the problem.

Will it hurt?
Mild discomfort may result when we begin to apply orthodontic forces. This usually lasts about 24 to 48 hours and then usually disappears. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our
patients report it decreases, as the treatment progresses. top

Will I look funny?
Not necessarily. Minor corrections can be accomplished with appliances nearly completely concealed within the mouth. More involved treatment may require braces on the teeth to successfully move them to the desired positions. Braces are the handles used to move your teeth. They vary from the conventional steel bands cemented around the back teeth to less obvious brackets bonded to the outer surfaces of the remaining teeth. In all cases, regardless of the braces used on your teeth, the active part of your braces is the wire that goes from tooth to tooth. It is not uncommon to observe half of the children in a school class having some sort of braces. Many kids consider braces "neat" and the "in" thing.

Do I have a choice of colors to go with my braces?
With coordinating force modules now available in a rainbow of colors from blue to nearly invisible, today’s braces are not just functional. You will be able to pick any color or combination of colors to match your favorite style or fashion.

What about extracurricular activities?
We heartily encourage our patients to pursue extracurricular interests. Athletics can be a regular part of this routine. Certain musical instruments can actually be helpful during treatment; others may need to be avoided. Speech may at first be somewhat affected, but only for a day or two. We tell our patients that orthodontics is a normal part of this phase in their lives and that treatment should not preclude any activities they usually pursue.

How often will I need office visits?
Appointments can be scheduled from four to eight week intervals, depending on the stage of treatment. In the initial stage, the appointments are more frequent. Once the appliances (braces) are in place, appointments are scheduled at longer intervals. For children, every effort will be made to schedule appointments after school hours, but many times appointments will occur during school hours. School authorities are usually understanding.

How much will it cost?
Do not assume your treatment will cost the same as someone else’s. Because no two problems are the same, treatment plans and accompanying costs will vary among patients. Those factors affecting the simplicity or complexity of your problem will be explained in detail by your orthodontist. All offices offer reasonable payment plans, conveniently spread over the estimated treatment period.

Will my dental insurance pay for it?
Today many dental policies include orthodontic benefits. For questions concerning eligibility we will need your insurance information. Some companies require submission of a diagnosis and treatment plan, as well as a suggested payment schedule, by your orthodontist before treatment begins. The maximum benefit and percentage of reimbursement to you varies from plan to plan.

Will the improvement be permanent?
Teeth, like all parts of the body are constantly changing and adapting.. Jaw relationships affecting facial contours can be expected to remain for life. However, there are certain types of facial patterns that continue to change even past adolescence. Conscientious retainer wear following treatment will minimize minor movement or relapse. However, every orthodontic patient will experience long term continuous change once retention is discontinued. As effective as modern orthodontic treatment is, it cannot stop the normal process of aging and maturation. These processes affect the mouth and teeth of everyone. The 15 year old with perfect teeth and untreated naturally ideal bite will undergo facial and dental changes that include crowding, deepening of the bite and some malalignment of the teeth. These changes may be severe enough to require orthodontic treatment at age 25 or 30. Therefore one should not assume that the same changes would not occur in an orthodontically treated patient over the same time period. top
   
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