It is usually difficult for parents to determine if treatment is necessary. There are a variety of problems that can occur even though the front teeth may appear to be straight. Also, there are some problems that may look intimidating and complex, but will eventually resolve on their own. Your general dentist can be a good reference, but we are your best resource since orthodontics is our top priority. Our initial exam is complimentary. We would be more than happy to take a look at your child’s teeth and make any necessary recommendations.
Although determining necessary treatment is difficult for you to assess, the following symptoms may help prompt you to seek orthodontic advice.
Have your child open their mouth and let you take a look at their teeth. If you see any crookedness, gaps between the teeth, or overlapping teeth, your child may need orthodontic treatment.
Ask your child to bite all the way down while keeping their lips open. Do the front top teeth line up with the bottom ones? Do the top teeth protrude away from the bottom teeth? Do the top front teeth cover more than 50% of the bottom teeth? Are the top teeth behind the bottom teeth? All these are indicators that orthodontic treatment may be needed.
Look at the alignment of your child’s jaw. Does the jaw shift off center when they bite down? If you see any misalignment or shifting of the jaw, your child may have a skeletal problem, which requires early orthodontic intervention.
These are only some of the more obvious symptoms of orthodontic problems.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age 7. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more complex treatment later.
Not at all. Age is not a factor, only the health of your gums and bone which support your teeth. About 25% of our orthodontic patients are adults and that number is still growing!
Orthodontic treatment has improved dramatically. As a rule, braces make your teeth sore for a few days, but they are not generally painful afterward. This discomfort can be relieved with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Today’s braces are smaller, more comfortable, and use technology that reduces the discomfort. We use the latest in miniature braces and the highest quality of orthodontic materials to reduce discomfort and treatment time.
Yes. When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth will drift into the empty space. This will cause a functional, aesthetic, or periodontal problem. Orthodontic treatment will correct and prevent these problems and will also provide the proper alignment for your dentist to replace the missing teeth.
Questions About Treatment
Phase I or Interceptive Treatment usually starts while the child has most of their baby teeth and a few of their permanent front incisors. This stage in development usually begins around the age of 7. The goal of Phase I treatment is to intercept a moderate or severe orthodontic problem early to reduce or eliminate it. These problems include skeletal dysplasia, crossbites, and crowding. Phase I treatment takes advantage of the early growth spurt and turns a difficult orthodontic problem into a more manageable one. This helps reduce the need for extractions or surgery and delivers better long-term results and treatment options. Most Phase I patients require a Phase II treatment in order to achieve an ideal bite.
Phase II treatment usually occurs a number of years later. Usually we are waiting for 12-16 more permanent teeth to erupt before Phase II begins. This most commonly occurs at the age of 12 or 13. The goal of Phase II treatment is to achieve an ideal occlusion with all of the permanent teeth.
This is another name for orthodontic treatment in the permanent dentition at any age. It is more commonly used when a Phase I treatment was not performed.
Absolutely not. Only certain bites require early intervention. All others can wait until most if not all their permanent teeth erupt.
This is not recommended. If your child needs Phase I treatment this usually means that he has a difficult problem that requires attention now. If no orthodontic action is taken, treatment options become limited, more difficult, and the long-term stability may be compromised. In addition, it may lead to extractions, oral surgery, and increased costs.
Braces may be on between 6 months to 30 months, or longer depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patient’s cooperation, and the degree of movement possible.
Extraction therapy is a technique where some teeth are removed to make room for the other teeth in your child’s mouth. This is in contrast to non-extraction therapy where one expands a patient’s jaw and shaves down some teeth to make everything fit.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
There are designer braces in gold and sapphire to add a touch of class. There are even outrageous braces in bright purple, pink, green, and black. As a parent, you will have to decide whether you want your children to have old fashioned braces or something modern and stylish. We make both kinds, but recommend the stylish braces whenever possible.
Lingual braces are mounted behind a patient’s teeth. They were used many years ago, before the development of orthocosmetic braces. Lingual braces are rarely used anymore. Generally, lingual braces are more uncomfortable than standard braces. Orthodontic treatment takes twice as long and is more costly. In addition, some people have trouble speaking with lingual braces. Presently, lingual braces are only used in special clinical cases.
Yes, but your stress levels will drop when your child looks forward to their visit at our office! In addition, the cost for these braces is a minor fraction of the cost of orthodontic treatment. Considering the time spent, orthodontics is regarded as dentistry’s best value.
When orthodontic treatment is implemented at the proper time, treatment is often less costly than the dental care required to treat the more serious problems that can develop years later.
Orthodontic fees have not increased as fast as many other consumer products. Financing is usually available and our office offers many payment programs that will meet your needs. In addition, many insurance plans now include orthodontic coverage.
