Early Treatment
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
TThe sooner we can detect any developing orthodontic issues, the better the opportunities are for effective treatment. If orthodontic intervention is not necessary at this time, early evaluation allows us to carefully monitor your child’s growth and development – and hopefully prevent serious problems later.
When should my child have their first orthodontic visit?
Though orthodontics can enhance your smile at any age, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends scheduling your child’s first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 (or at the first sign of orthodontic problems).
Why is age 7 considered the ideal time for an orthodontic screening?
Because your child’s first adult molars erupt by age 7, establishing their back bite. It’s an ideal time for an orthodontist to evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth growth in your child’s mouth, looking for early signs of overbite, open bite, crowding, or other problems.
What is interceptive treatment?
Interceptive treatment is the term used for treatment that begins when a child is still growing – again, the primary goal is to prevent future orthodontic problems. Potential advantages of this treatment include:
- Creating facial symmetry through proper jaw growth
- Creating room for erupting teeth
- Preserving space for unerupted teeth
- Less risk of damage or trauma to protruding front teeth
- Less need for tooth removal
- Less treatment time required for braces
What are malocclusions?
Interceptive treatment also helps correct malocclusions, which are bite issues that occur due to tooth and/or jaw misalignment. Over time, malocclusions can affect your child’s oral health, appearance, and how they talk, chew, and breathe.
Why do malocclusions need to be treated?
Without treatment, malocclusions can cause many long-term problems in your child’s mouth. For instance, crowded teeth are harder to brush and floss, which may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Crossbites often result in uneven tooth wear and misaligned jaw growth, while open bites often cause tongue thrusting and speech impediments.
Early orthodontic treatment gives your child more than a great-looking smile. It sets the stage for a healthy smile, too!
Adolescent Treatment
By age 12, most (if not all) permanent teeth should be in place, allowing your orthodontist to detect crooked teeth, bad bites, gaps, and other concerns. Orthodontic problems rarely correct themselves, making the adolescent and teen years an ideal time to seek orthodontic treatment for your child.
Known as Phase II orthodontic treatment, adolescent treatment involves placing braces on the patient’s teeth once their permanent teeth have erupted. Braces straighten the permanent teeth and finish correctly aligning the patient’s jaw.
Because children at this stage of life are growing rapidly, we can usually take advantage of these growth spurts to help shape the patient’s teeth and bite correctly. Preteens and teenagers also have high metabolisms, which can help reduce any discomfort and shorten their overall treatment time.
For many preteens and teenagers, wearing braces is a rite of passage. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child the smile of a lifetime and boost their self-confidence for many years to come!
Adult Treatment
It’s official: braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age as long as your gums and bone structure are healthy. We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments designed for different age groups, including adults. Your new smile can begin today.
Adult orthodontic treatment can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. However, improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Having crooked teeth or a bad bite can lead to tooth decay, gum and bone loss, abnormal tooth wear, jaw pain (TMJ/TMD), headaches, and more.
The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, require fewer office visits, and shorten treatment time. You may have multiple options to choose from, such as metal braces, translucent braces, or transparent aligners that can be worn at night.
During your initial evaluation, we will determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs and budget. We can also outline the treatment plan and your approximate cost, so you know exactly what to expect.
Join our many adult patients who agree that it’s never too late to improve your greatest asset – your smile.
Invisalign
The Invisalign® system uses clear, customized, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth without the use of wires or brackets. They are virtually undetectable, which means you can wear them to school, work, or any special occasion, and no one will know that you’re in the midst of orthodontic treatment.
A Clearly Different Approach to Orthodontics
Combining the science of orthodontics with advanced 3D computer graphics technology, Invisalign® clear aligners are designed to move your teeth in small, gradual steps. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of your treatment plan.
The first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign® aligners are right for you. After we send precise measurements and customized treatment instructions, Invisalign® will create a sequence of finely calibrated aligners to fit your mouth – as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks, and you only take it out to eat, brush, and floss.
As you progress through the aligners, your teeth will slowly move, week by week, until proper alignment is achieved. And then you’ll be smiling like never before!
For more information about the Invisalign® system and how it works, visit the Invisalign website or ask your orthodontist.
We Are Invisalign® Experts
To ensure the best possible results, only orthodontists who are trained and certified by Align Technology (the makers of Invisalign®) should provide Invisalign® treatment.
The Invisalign® system is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. To find out if Invisalign® can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, schedule an appointment now.
Orthognathic Surgery
Abnormalities of the jaw and teeth make it difficult to talk, chew, sleep, and more. Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is designed to treat these abnormalities and improve your daily life.
When performed in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery can significantly improve the appearance of your facial profile as well.
We use the latest in digital imaging technology to maximize the benefits of orthognathic surgery, including computerized treatment planning designed to minimize your treatment time and recovery period.
State-of-the-art materials like titanium plates and miniature screws add strength and stability to your treatment. With these, patients can typically return to their normal routines soon after surgery.
Is Orthognathic Surgery the Only Answer?
Not necessarily. Thanks to new advances in orthodontics, we can correct some abnormalities of the jaw and teeth with orthodontic treatment only. Your orthodontist can determine which option is best for you.
Type of Braces
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. Today's metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of translucent (clear) material. They are most popular with adult patients, due to their cosmetic appeal. The only drawback to ceramic brackets is that they are more fragile, and the elastic ties can discolor between orthodontic visits.
Invisalign®
The Invisalign® System is a series of clear overlay templates—called aligners—that have been generated by computer simulation to gradually move the teeth. This system is available to adult patients with certain orthodontic bite problems. Ask us if you are a candidate for the Invisalign® system.