ORTHODONTICS

A Health Smile at Any Age

Orthodontics means more than a beautiful smile; it means a healthy smile, too. Also known as dentofacial  orthopedics, orthodontics is the dental specialty concerned with correctly positioned teeth, jaw bones, jaw joints, and chewing muscles. Now people of all ages can enjoy healthier teeth and gums and a better bite for normal chewing, swallowing, and breathing. With today’s evaluation and treatment techniques, a healthy smile can be yours.

WHY ORTHODONTICS?

There are several advantages of properly arranged teeth:

They function better in chewing.

They should last a lifetime, whereas teeth which do not meet properly when chewing are very likely to be lost prematurely due to lack of exercise.

They promote healthy gums and surrounding bone.

You have a more pleasant smile.

WHAT PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED?

The orthodontist can correct or improve most malocclusions by moving teeth to new positions, thus achieving a better tooth-to tooth relationship (bite) and consequently a healthier mouth. This sometimes involves tooth removal. If so, the family dentist or an oral surgeon will handle this part of treatment. Some common conditions treated by orthodontists are: crowed and overlapping teeth, protruding upper teeth, protruding lower teeth and irregular spaces between teeth. Also, where teeth have been lost, the orthodontist can position the remaining teeth so that the dentist can properly fit the patient with replacement bridgework.

Some orthodontic problems are best treated by a combination surgical- orthodontic method. In these cases; an oral surgeon will work in conjunction with the orthodontic.

Your Orthodontic Evaluation

Before planning treatment, your orthodontist examines your teeth, jaws, jaw joints, face, and profile, and studies how you bite and swallow. Your dental and medical histories are taken. If you’re looking for cosmetic changes in your smile or face, you’ll be asked about your specific goals for orthodontics.

X-rays and precise measurements traced over them show how your bite can be corrected.
Models of your bite, used to help prepare your appliance, show how your teeth and jaw fit together.

Photos give you and your orthodontist a record of your profile, face, and teeth before treatment.

Orthodontics for Young Children

An early phase of treatment may precede braces to take advantage of a child’s growing jaws. Early treatment moves jaw bones and chewing muscles into position, setting the stage for the most stable bite correction possible. This early orthopedic (or “bone”) phase of treatment may last a year or more.

Orthodontics for Teenagers

The most common age group for orthodontics, teenagers , have most of their permanent teeth and more mature jaws. Today’s braces are less noticeable than ever and won’t interfere with the active lifestyle that teenagers enjoy. Treatment may last one to three years and include a combination of appliances.

Orthodontics for Adults

More and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment, eager for a more attractive face and smile, healthier gums, and freedom from jaw joint pain. Today’ appliance include less visible braces, so orthodontics can fit into any adult lifestyle. With fully mature adult jaws, treatment may take longer than for teenagers.

Braces  options include bonded brackets and full bands “invisible” lingual braces (which fit inside of teeth),clear or tooth-colored braces, and removable braces.

IS THE APPLIANCE CONSPICUOUS?

Not so much, if the orthodontist decides to fit the direct bonded brackets, for your case. These are brackets and tubes attached directly to the teeth surface rather than to the metal bands around the teeth. These are less obvious and therefore more esthetic. No bands, means less irritation to your gums and no separation between the teeth, so no spaces to be closed when the appliances are removed. Some teeth though, may require bands hence each type has its advantages and its restriction of appliances best suits the particular problem.

And not at all, if your case is right for Lingual orthodontics, because they fit on the inside of the teeth. Drawbacks are, they take longer, they are expensive, they are difficult to install and they can cause speech impediments. For adults who still don’t want to be seen in braces, removable appliances that are worn only at night often can do the job, but they usually take longer.

REMEMBER…

DO:

BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND GUMS:  The part of the tooth under the band is protected, but the uncovered part between the band and the gum needs special care. This is a DANGER ZONE where food and bacteria are caught and can cause decay gum disease and discolored teeth.

CARRY SOME ELASTICS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES: So you can replace one if it breaks. Ordinarily, you must replace the elastics with new ones every evening before going to bed. Your orthodontist may have special instructions concerning the changing of your elastics.

Wearing elastics is much like rolling a ball up a hill. It takes a gentle constant effort to accomplish both jobs; but if you let up, leave your rubber bands off for the least bit of time(30minutes), you will lose ALL the movement you have gained in the past 24 hours, the ball is back at the bottom of the hill.

If you find yourself running low on elastics call your orthodontist’s office and they will mail more to you. Never add more elastics than instructed.

DON’T:

Bite down on  HARD things like raw vegetables or ice. These can break, bend  or  loosen your appliance.

CHEW GUM or STICKY foods like toffee. These get caught in your appliance and loosen it.

PLAYWITH or PICK AT your appliance.

HAPPIER SMILES FOR GROWN UPS: YES…

Braces are no longer just for kids. Well over a million men and women are now wearing orthodontic appliances and the number is increasing. Reasons:-

Beautiful, straight teeth are perceived as a social and business asset. They are also easierto chew with and to clean.

Braces can correct some jaw and joint disturbances, eliminating uneven bite, teeth grating headaches and other problems.

The social stigma once associated with braces has disappeared, and new materials make them less unsightly.

Adults who had treatment in childhood may need further treatment as adults because of regression. The loss of any number of teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift. It therefore may be necessary for the adult to have an orthodontist reposition the teeth so a dentist can replace the missing teeth with bridgework. Finally, an orthodontist can help patients undergoing periodontal (gum) treatment by shifting the teeth to areas of healthy supporting bone.

When considering orthodontic treatment, the patient’s age is relatively unimportant. The tissue involved are the same, only more mature in the adult. What is important is the general health of the teeth and gums. Even in cases involving gum disease and tooth loss, health and tooth arrangement can be significantly improved through orthodontics.

The length of treatment and the final result depend on cooperation between the patient and the orthodontist. Most adult problem can be easily corrected if the doctor’s instructions are followed. Those orthodontic problems which cannot be completely corrected can be improved.

Although some inconveniences will be encountered during treatment, there should be no substantial effect on the usual way of life.

If you have any questions concerning your particular problem, the doctor will be happy to answer them.