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 At what age should my child first be examined for orthodontics?
Generally around 7 years old. This will give the orthodontist
an early look at the baby teeth and developing permanent teeth,
so the best treatment can be planned for your child.
Can I get my teeth
straight without braces?
 Yes,
so Invisible, you'll be the only one that knows.
Invisalign uses a series of nearly undetectable aligners instead
of brackets and wires. So it's really hard for people to tell
you're wearing Invisalign even up close. Invisalign can give
you the smile you've always wanted without the braces you've
always avoided.
Do the upper teeth protrude?
 Excessive
protrusion of the upper front teeth - ¡°buck teeth¡± - is by far
the most common orthodontic problem.
Is there a deep bite?
 The
upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth too much.
Is there an underbite?
 The
upper teeth fit inside the arch of the lower teeth.
Is there an open bite?
 The
child can stick his or her tongue between the upper and lower
front teeth when the back teeth are together.
5. Is there too little or too much room for the teeth?
 Crowded
or overlapped teeth¡¦.
 ¡¦or
noticeably large gaps between teeth.
6. Do the front teeth line up?
 The
spaces between the two upper front teeth and the two lower front
teeth should line up with each other and both should line up
with the bridge of the nose. When they do not, the probable
cause is drifted teeth or a shifted lower jaw, resulting in
an improper bite.
7. Is there a crossbite?
 The
upper back teeth fit inside, rather than outside of the lowers.
What is done at the beginning of orthodontic treatment?
First the dentist examines the patient's teeth and mouth and
reviews the dental and medical history. Then various studies
are made to help diagnose the problem and to arrive at the best
treatment plan. These studies may include growth evaluations,
facial measurements, photographs, plaster study models, and
X-ray pictures of the head, jaws, and teeth. If other dental
problems exist, such as dental caries or periodontal disease,
they must also be treated.
How are the teeth moved into the correct position?
Dentists can use a variety of appliances to move the teeth.
Some are removable some are not. The choice of the appliance
depends of the problem that must be corrected and on the patient's
special needs. All appliances whether fixed or removable put
gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws, causing them to move
or stabilize in a particular position.
What are braces?
 Fixed
appliances, commonly called braces, are often used to correct
malocclusion. Braces can be attached to the teeth in various
ways. Metal bands that include a bracket may be cemented around
the teeth, or metal or plastic brackets may be bonded directly
onto the teeth. Whatever the system of attachment, each bracket
is connected to the next with an arch wire. Throughout treatment,
pressure is applied to the teeth by adjusting the wires. Sometimes
elastic bands are used, in addition to arch wires, to put additional
pressures on the teeth. Although braces are usually applied
to the outside surfaces of the teeth, it is occasionally possible
to attach the braces inside the dental arch. This makes the
braces less noticeable to others. Click Invisalign
Link!!
Can clear plastic move
teeth(invisalign)?
How long does Invisalign treatment take and how much does it
cost?
The duration and cost of the treatment depends on the severity
of your particular case, which determines the number of aligners
you need. You¡¯ll wear each aligner for two weeks. So, generally
there may be as many as 48 in the series, or as few as 12. Only
your orthodontist can determine the length of your treatment.
Is
wearing braces painful?
Rarely is there any severe pain associated with orthodontic
treatment. When braces are first attached and when they are
adjusted, there may be some discomfort or soreness, but it lasts
for only a few days. Occasionally, tooth movement, eating hard
or chewy foods, or poking at the braces with a pencil or other
object causes an arch wire or band to break or protrude. When
this occurs, you can cover the broken part of the brace with
a special wax, available from your dentist. Then you should
make arrangements to see the dentist as soon as possible.
When braces are
removed, is orthodontic treatment completed?
As a rule, when braces are removed, it is necessary for the
patient to wear a retainer for several months afterward. This
is a very important part of the treatment. Retainers are removable
appliances that are used to complete orthodontic treatment.
They hold the teeth in their new positions until they become
more secure.
What
are removable appliances?
As their name suggests, removable appliances can be put in the
mouth or taken out by the patient. They are not fixed or cemented
to the teeth, but are held in place by clasps, straps, or some
other arrangement. Removable appliances make use of the natural
muscle factors acting in and around the oral cavity and jaws.
There are many types of removable appliances, each with its
own special purpose. For example, straps around the head or
neck (headgear) can be used, in combination with braces or wires
that fit into the mouth, to help move the teeth. Removable retainers,
discussed earlier, are often used to help stabilize the teeth
after orthodontic treatment.
Is surgery ever used to treat orthodontic problems?
Surgery is sometimes needed to correct skeletal irregularities.
This surgery is usually intended to reposition the upper or
lower jaw or the jaw muscles. In some cases, it may be necessary
to reshape the upper or lower jaw. To permit improved function
and appearance, orthodontic treatment is usually begun before
surgery and continued after surgery.
How often should orthodontic visits be made?
In most cases, it is necessary to visit the dentist for orthodontic
treatment on a regular basis, usually every three to six weeks.
(Of course, if an arch wire or band breaks, you should make
an appointment with our dentist immediately.) During these regular
visits, the dentist will check the progress of tooth movement,
adjust the arch wires, and mend or replace any parts of the
appliance that may have broken. It is also important to see
the dentist regularly to ensure that any other dental problems,
such as tooth decay or periodontal disease, are diagnosed and
treated at an early stage.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
The treatment time for each patient must be judged individually.
Some factors that determine the length of time needed are the
patient's age and cooperation, the severity of the malocclusion,
and the condition of the oral tissue. The average length of
treatment for children is 18 to 30 months. Treatment may take
longer in adults, because the growth process has stopped.
How much does
orthodontic treatment cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment varies. It can be affected
by many factors, including the difficulty of treatment, the
time treatment is expected to take, the type of appliance needed,
and the degree to which the patient cooperates. Patients should
ask their insurance companies for information about dental prepayment
(insurance) programs, which are intended to assist in the payment
of dental fees. Most dentists require an initial payment to
cover the costs of diagnosis and the placement of the appliance.
Remaining payments can usually be arranged with the dentist
to extend over a few months or years, while treatment is being
completed.
How
important is the patient's attitude in orthodontic treatment?
For orthodontic treatment to be successful, the cooperation
of the patient is crucial. Failure to follow the dentist's instructions
may lead to unsatisfactory results and discouragement. If a
child is having orthodontic treatment, it is important for the
parents to understand the child's needs and to provide support
and guidance.
Why
is it important to avoid eating certain foods while wearing
braces?
Eating some foods may damage the braces. Other foods, because
of their texture, may be hard to clean from around the teeth.
The list of items that should be avoided during orthodontic
treatment varies, but chewing gum, ice, nuts, caramels, hard
candy, corn on the cob, and uncut apples are often included.
Orthodontic patients should follow their dentist's recommendations
about what they should or should nor eat during the course of
their treatment.
What is plaque and why should it removed from the teeth?
The teeth should be cleaned thoroughly every day to remove plaque,
a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on
the teeth. Plaque is a primary cause of tooth decay and gum
disease. When foods containing sugars are eaten, the bacteria
in plaque make acids that can attack the tooth enamel and eventually
cause decay. If plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth, it
also produces other waste products that can irritate and damage
the gums.
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