Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is “malocclusion,” which means “bad bite.”

The results of orthodontic treatment can be dramatic — beautiful smiles, improved dental health and an enhanced quality of life for people of all ages. Orthodontic problems must be diagnosed before treatment begins. Proper diagnosis involves careful study of photographs, x-rays, and dental impressions.

Treatment typically lasts from 6 to 30 months, depending on age, and the severity of the orthodontic problem. Outstanding results are also highly dependent on maximum cooperation and coordination of care between you and our practice. We are committed to delivering the best possible service in order for you to achieve your orthodontic goals.

What’s the right age for Orthodontic Treatment?

All children should receive their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven. This allows early identification of potential problems. Certain orthodontic conditions are also best treated at this age. Full braces are placed after most of the permanent teeth erupt, generally age ten to twelve. Adults are also prime candidates for orthodontic treatment.

The timing of your treatment is VERY important; a consultation will allow us to better understand your needs. Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Braces & Head

How do braces work?

There are two main components of braces, brackets, which are bonded directly to the tooth, and archwires, that connect the brackets. Contrary to what most people think; it is the archwire that actually moves the teeth. The brackets serve only as “handles”. The archwire generates a steady gentle pressure to move the teeth into their proper position.

Like moving a stick through sand, as the tooth moves, the bone gives way on one side, and fills in on the other. Elastics are used to make the upper and lower teeth bite together properly.

Separators

Teeth sit very close together at the gumline. Separators, donut shaped elastics that are placed between your teeth to separate them slightly so that orthodontic bands can be fitted comfortably. Separators are usually placed three to seven days prior to fitting the bands.
Separators can come out by themselves when:
There is enough space between your teeth.
A child plays with them with their fingers or tongue.
From sticky foods or chewing gum.
If your separator comes out, it may just mean that the separator has done its job!
You can do a little test to see if there is now adequate space for your orthodontic bands:
Floss between two teeth. Ifthe floss gets stuck, the separator has not made enough space as yet and you will need to have them replaced.

If the floss does not get stuck, then you are ready for your bad fitting appointment!

Headgear

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put them back on immediately.

Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.

If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don’t double up the next day — just follow your regular instructions.

Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don’t provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.

If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off — call our office immediately. Don’t wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!

Removable Appliances

Removable appliances may be used to move selected teeth, to hold selected teeth in place, to influence growth of the jaws, and to influence tooth eruption. They are often used in conjunction with fixed appliances.

Removable appliances cannot be used to treat all orthodontic problems. It takes skill and experience to recognize conditions that can be successfully treated with removable appliances.

Because the patient can easily remove the appliance, good compliance is required to achieve the desired outcome.

Retainers

Once the teeth are moved into their correct position, the braces are removed. The next step is called retention. Retainers are utilized to hold the teeth in the desired position. Retainers must be worn as instructed, or the teeth WILL move back toward their original positions.

Remember; wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.

Clean your retainers! After meals, clean all parts of the retainer with a brush.

Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety.

Elastics

Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.

If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don’t double up the next day — just follow your regular instructions.

Types Of Bites

Children can develop various bite issues that affect their dental alignment and jaw relationship. One common problem is crossbite, where the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting. Openbite occurs when the front teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed. Overbite refers to excessive vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower ones. Overjet happens when the upper front teeth protrude forward. Underbite is characterized by the lower jaw extending beyond the upper jaw. Impacted teeth can occur when teeth fail to erupt properly or get stuck in the jawbone. Missing teeth can create gaps in the dental arch, while crowding of teeth leads to insufficient space for proper alignment. On the other hand, spacing of teeth refers to excessive gaps between teeth. These bite issues require attention from a pediatric dentist to ensure proper development, function, and aesthetics of the teeth and jaws.

Crossbite

One or more of the upper teeth biting on the inside of the lower teeth characterizes a crossbite. Crossbite can occur in the front and/or the sides of the mouth. Early correction of crossbites is recommended.

Correcting A Crossbites can:

Reduce premature wear of the teeth
Reduce the chance of gum disease including bone loss
Correct and stop asymmetrical development of the jaws
Improve chewing patterns
Make your smile more attractive
Be related to jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ)

How can a crossbite be orthodontically corrected?
If there is a single tooth crossbite, braces or a retainer may be used to move it into the correct position. If multiple teeth are in crossbite, palate expander is normally required..

Openbite

Inadequate vertical overlap of the front teeth characterizes an openbite. It is caused by oral habits such as tongue thrust, digit sucking, or when the jaws don’t grow evenly. Timing of treatment is critical to the overall success of the therapy.

Correcting An Openbite can:

Reduce premature wear of the back teeth
Corrects dysfunctional chewing patterns
Make your smile more attractive
Be related of jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ)

How can an openbite be orthodontically corrected?
Openbite can be corrected through growth modification of the jaws; extrusion of the front teeth; and in some cases surgical correction of the jaws. Breaking oral habits such as digit sucking will facilitate the correction of an openbite and make the result more stable.

Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can be the result of congenital absence (the tooth fails to develop), trauma, or dental extractions.

Fixing Missing teeth Can:

Improved the function of your teeth
fix the alignment of the teeth
Make your smile more attractive
Reduce premature wear of the teeth

How can missing teeth be orthodontically corrected?
Depending upon the situation, the space can be closed with braces or opened for tooth replacement. A bridge or dental implant is used to replace the missing tooth if a space is created.

Crowding of Teeth

Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be rotated or displaced. Crowding occurs when there is disharmony in the tooth to jaw size relationship, or when the teeth are larger than the available space. Crowding can be caused by early or late loss of primary teeth, improper eruption of teeth, or a genetic imbalance between jaw and tooth size.

Crowding should be corrected because it can:

Make it much more difficult to properly clean all the surfaces of your teeth
Increase the chances of dental decay
Increase the chances of gum disease

Spacing of Teeth

Spacing, the opposite of crowding, is an excess of available space, resulting in gaps between the teeth. This generally occurs when the teeth are smaller than the available space. Protrusive teeth, missing or impacted teeth, or abnormal gum tissue attachments can also cause spacing.

Fixing Excess Spacing Of Teeth Can:

Improved proper functioning of the teeth
Make your smile more attractive
Reduce gum problems due to the lack of protection by the teeth

How can spacing of the teeth be orthodontically corrected
Moving the teeth together and properly aligning them within the jaws can close the spaces.