Orthodontics

Orthodontics For Young Children

A Head Start On A Winning Smile
No one wants to have crooked teeth or a funny looking smile. So you're lucky if you'll be getting braces and now you're at just the right age for them. When you're young, your teeth, jaws, and chewing muscles are still growing, so it's easier for your orthodontist to correct them.

Why Do I Need Braces?
After looking closely at your teeth and jaws, your orthodontist may say you have a malocclusion. That means your teeth and jaws don't meet correctly. There are three kinds of malocclusion, called Class I, Class II, and Class III. You may have other orthodontic problems, too.

Your Own Special Treatment Plan
Since every child's teeth and jaws are different, your orthodontist will talk with you and your parents about your own special treatment plan. Some appliances are fixed: they stay on throughout your treatment. Others are removable: it's up to you to put them on (and leave them on!) when you should. How long you wear your appliances depends on the kind of problem you have, how well you follow your orthodontist's instructions, and whether you need other treatment.

Keeping A Healthy Smile
Braces create small ledges, nooks, and crannies for food deposits, which can lead to cavities and gum problems. This makes brushing and flossing even more important while you're wearing braces. When you brush and floss, handle your appliances carefully so you won't break or loosen them.

Teamwork For A Winning Smile
Your orthodontist, office staff, dentist, and parents can all help you have a winning smile. You, too, are part of the team. You can help by taking good care of your appliances and by following your orthodontist's instructions carefully while you're wearing your braces.

Teen Orthodontics

Smile
Sure, you want to look your best. So how do braces help? They do more than just improve your smile. They also help your teeth and jaws fit together better. You can look good with your braces on, too. So don't worry about getting braces. You're going to have a great new smile.

The Look You Want
Today's braces aren't like the ones your parents had. These days you can get colored ties and elastics that make your braces look blue, red, green, purple, pink-almost any color you want! You can even mix and match. So talk with your orthodontist about what's available. And be proud to show off your new look!

The Fastest Way To Straight Teeth
Braces do most of the work moving teeth into place. But you may also need to wear dental appliances to help move and protect your teeth. Learn how your braces and appliances work, and know how to take care of them. Wearing your equipment the right way' is the fastest way to straight teeth.

Things That Help
There are many types of dental appliances. And each type has an important job to do. So no matter what kinds of appliances you have, keep them in good shape. If you break or lose something, call your orthodontist right away.

Stay On Track
Taking care of your mouth can help your treatment go faster. So stay on the right track by keeping your teeth and braces clean, eating smart, and keeping appointments with your orthodontist. With a little practice, it's easier than you think.

Keep It Clean
So how do you keep your teeth clean when you have braces? It's simple. Brush and floss every day. For extra help, your orthodontist may suggest a fluoride rinse or an interdental brush. Don't forget you still need to see your dentist for regular cleanings. These visits are even more important now that you have braces.

Looking Good
When your braces come off, you'll have a great-looking smile. To keep looking good, wear your retainers and brush and floss every day. Keep appointments with your orthodontist and dentist, too. That way, your picture-perfect smile will last a lifetime.

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Adult Orthodontics

You Can Have Braces Too
Braces for the longest time were only considered for children and teens. That has changed, and more adults than ever have decided to join the movement to enhance their smile and protect their teeth.

The Orthodontic Appliance
When teeth are slightly uneven, usually it will worsen gradually over time. Many adults are anxious to correct a tooth that has recently shifted. In order to move a tooth with an orthodontic appliance, a relatively constant force must be applied to the tooth. This means that wearing an appliance only in the home will usually not be effective in aligning shifted teeth.

Braces
Traditional braces, including less noticeable tooth colored braces, provide a constant force, and quickly become tolerated by the patient since they cannot be removed. Braces are also the most effective tooth moving appliances. The greater the extent of a dental misalignment the more evident braces really do help.

Removable Appliances
You may desire a removable appliance, given practical social and professional concerns. The more crooked your teeth are, the less effective a removable appliance will be. Most cases that range from moderate to severe crowding are treated more effectively with braces.

Treatment
Treatment usually ranges from 9 to 15 months for moderate cases, and 18 to 24 months in severe cases. Correction of severe crowding usually involves removal of teeth prior to treatment to create the space needed to align the crooked teeth. When the upper and lower teeth are aligned properly, the tremendous forces of chewing and grinding are more easily absorbed by the teeth, jaw bones and jaw joint thus providing a person with a bite that will add to the long term health and attractiveness of their teeth and smile.