About Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a special field of dentistry that focuses on the prevention and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws. While a general dentist focuses primarily on cavities and gum disease, orthodontists promote healthy teeth by targeting issues like improper jaw alignment, crooked teeth, and crowded teeth. But creating a beautiful, straight smile isn’t all that orthodontists do. By treating some of the underlying orthodontic problems that lead to tooth decay and tooth loss, orthodontists also help their patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.
When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you’ve always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure that you receive the quality care you deserve.
Not all children need orthodontic care, but all children do need monitoring so that any dental problems that may arise can be found early. In general, the earlier a problem is identified, the less invasive the treatment needed to correct it.
Problem to watch for in Children??? click here
Since most children do not start seeing their first permanent teeth (their first molars) until age 6, it is generally recommended that you begin monitoring your child’s jaw and tooth growth around age 7. Symptoms to look for that could indicate early orthodontic care is needed include:
- Early loss of permanent teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between the front teeth
- Difficulty chewing, missing teeth
- Cheek biting, thumb sucking
- Over or underbite
- Clenching or grinding of teeth
When treatment is begun early, your orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and permanent teeth, preventing or diminishing further misalignment or damage. Using traditional braces, spacers, lingual braces, and other treatment methods, orthodontists can help children grow up with confident, healthy smiles.
For many adults who needed braces as children but didn’t get them, adult orthodontic care can help improve their oral health, appearance, and self-esteem. The same orthodontic issues that affect children can affect adults if left untreated. And, after years of poor tooth and jaw alignment, those issues can result in significant damage to teeth, gums, and jaws.
When to seek for Orthodontist??? click here…
Health risks associated with untreated orthodontic problems include:
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Jaw or facial pain
- “Oral” problems (chewing, speaking, or biting)
- Inability to properly clean teeth, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease
- Irregular or severe wearing of tooth enamel
Contrary to popular belief, adults often seek orthodontic care to have their teeth straightened or properly aligned.
Although most of the orthodontic treatment options available to children are available to adults, the one limitation that adult patients have is that their jaws are no longer growing. So, if an adult’s jaws are significantly out of alignment, surgery may be needed to get a complete correction. In addition, adults seeking orthodontic care are often interested in orthodontic alternatives like Invisalign® that minimize the appearance and time of care.
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.
Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces!
Duration of Treatment
Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.
Before beginning your orthodontic care, your doctor will discuss all of your options and provide an estimate for how long your full treatment may take. Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment and learn more about orthodontics and the treatments we provide.
Treatment Options
Invisalign
Imagine a braces treatment that doesn’t use wires or metal brackets, a treatment that is virtually pain-free and doesn’t require you to change your current lifestyle. Not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign, but you can definitely discuss your options with Dr. Mahdee at your initial consultation. It is often a great choice for our adult patients. With Invisalign, you can straighten your teeth and experience the benefits of a great smile without having to deal with a mouth full of metal! Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable, comfortable aligners that straighten teeth.
Clarity
Orthodontic treatment no longer means having a mouth full of unsightly metal wires and brackets. Clarity self-ligating braces are an aesthetic alternative to traditional metal braces. Clarity braces are clear, small in size, and customized to fit your teeth and mouth. Clarity braces are safe and effective, and are a great option for patients of all ages.
Dentofacial Orthopedics
What is dentofacial orthopedics? Many patients wonder what it means when their orthodontist specializes in dentofacial orthopedics. This means your doctor has training and experience in working with the management of tooth movement (orthodontics) as well as the guidance of facial growth and development (dentofacial orthopedics), which usually occurs during childhood.
TMJ/TMD Treatments
What is TMJ/TMD and why does it matter to you? Temporomandibular Disorder is a condition in which the joints in your jaw become sore and movement is restricted. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic face and neck pains as well as recurring headaches. These can all be signs of a TMD/TMJ condition that may require treatment.
Surgical Orthodontics
Orthodontics is designed to reposition and straighten teeth, but surgical orthodontics may be needed in some cases to correct more severe jaw irregularities. Surgical orthodontics is used to straighten the jaw into alignment, which often improves a patient’s ability to chew, speak, and breathe. Braces are often worn in conjunction with orthodontic surgery to make sure the teeth stay in the proper position as well.
We have an entire page on surgical orthodontics, visit there to learn more!
Ideal Bracket Placement
If your gums haven’t receded properly, or if a tooth is erupting slower than expected, a laser can be used to remove excess tissue and reveal enough tooth surface to place a bracket.
Impacted Teeth
Impactions refer to teeth that haven’t erupted properly through the gums. By using laser treatment, we can assist a tooth’s eruption without the need to wait months for the tooth to erupt on its own, or to refer an expensive surgical procedure. Click here……