Why Braces? Why Invisalign®?
Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are harder to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal tooth wear, inefficient chewing functions, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face, neck, or jaw pain. Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off or your Invisalign® treatment is complete, your teeth will look better and you’ll feel more self confident!
Adult Orthodontics and Increasing Your Self Esteem
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. On average, about one of every four patients in orthodontic treatment are over 21. Self image and self esteem are closely related to a person’s smile. Studies have shown that individuals feel better about themselves with the completion of orthodontic treatment and have a higher self esteem and self confidence which will benefit you for the rest of your life. Whether you choose braces or Invisalign® it’s never too late to start toward that new smile!
Kids
It’s best for the orthodontist to see children by age 7 to advise if orthodontic treatment is required and the best time for that patient to be treated. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by that time and crossbites, crowding, protruding teeth and other problems can be evaluated. When treatment is begun early, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and guide incoming permanent teeth. Early treatment can also regulate the width of upper and lower dental arches, gain spaces for permanent teeth, probably avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb sucking and eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment can simplify later treatment.
Why will my child benefit from orthodontic treatment?
- Improved self confidence– Self image and self esteem are closely related to a person’s smile. Studies have shown that individuals feel better about themselves with the completion of orthodontic treatment and have a higher self esteem and self confidence which will benefit you for the rest of your life. Having a beautiful, confident smile will be a lifelong benefit for your child.
- Healthier smile– Teeth that are properly aligned are easier to brush and floss. This will allow your child to maintain their oral health much easier.
- Decrease the possibilities of extractions– Braces on kids often times will help make room for the permanent teeth before they erupt into the mouth. When kids have teeth that are crowded and orthodontic treatment has not begun the likelihood that permanent teeth will need to be removed increases. Today we have the technology to intercept severe crowding and decrease the chances of this.
- Avoiding trauma to protruded teeth– One of the visible signs of a severe overbite is upper teeth that protrude (or stick out) over the lower teeth. Protrusion of the teeth will leave the upper front teeth unprotected and make them more susceptible to chipping, breaking and even avulsion (knocking your teeth out) with mouth trauma. With orthodontic treatment the upper front teeth will sit more closely to the lower front teeth and decrease the chances of tooth trauma.
When is the best time to begin orthodontics?
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optional time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontist recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but a thorough examination can determine the most advantageous time to begin treatment. However, if you have missed this recommended age, don’t worry. It is never too late to start on the way to your new smile!
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?
By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the bite of the back teeth. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the presence of eruption incisors (or the front four teeth on top and bottom) can indicate overbite, open bite, crowding, crossbites, protrusion, or gummy smiles. Timely screening increases the chance for an incredible smile.
- Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
- Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Preserving space for unerupted teeth, reducing the need for tooth removal
- Reducing treatment time with braces