Ask the Orthodontist
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?
- A more attractive smile
- Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
- Better function of the teeth
- Possible increase in self-confidence
- Increased ability to clean the teeth
- Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth
- Better long term health of teeth and gums
- Guides permanent teeth into more favorable positions
- Reduces the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
- Aids in optimizing other dental treatment such as crowns, bridges, and implant placement
What are some signs that braces may be needed?
- Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth, or are bucked
- Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
- Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
- The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
- Crowded or overlapped teeth
- The center of the upper and lower teeth do not line up
- Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years of age
- Difficulty chewing
- Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
- The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
- Spaces between the teeth
At what age should orthodontic treatment occur?
Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the child's physician.
What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?
Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, and underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.
Do all children have to have two phases of orthodontic treatment?
Not necessarily. Early orthodontic treatment can be a great benefit if problems are detected early. Other children do not need orthodontic treatment until all or almost all of their permanent teeth have erupted. However, it is highly advantageous to have children evaluated early so that if orthodontic problems are present, they may be treated before they become an even more severe problem (The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a professional orthodontic consult for children by the age of seven). Your orthodontist will determine whether or not your child would benefit from an early phase of treatment or not.
Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?
Certainly! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants and deserves a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty five percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment times vary on a case-by-case basis. Treatment time can take anywhere between one and three years, but the average time is approximately 22 months (just less than two years). Your treatment time can be affected by rate of growth and severity of the correction necessary. Treatment length is also dependent upon patient compliance. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping regular orthodontic appointments are important in keeping your treatment time on schedule. Beautiful smiles cannot be created overnight.
Do braces hurt?
The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for a few days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth. General soreness may also occur for a few days after your braces are adjusted. Usually, the soreness can be relieved by over-the-counter pain relieving medications that would take for a headache or other discomfort.
Will braces interfere with playing sports?
No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouth guards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Please let us know about your sporting activities so we may recommend the best mouthguard for your particular situation and/or sport.
Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
Most people who play a wind instrument do need a little bit of time to adjust to the appliances in their mouth. However, most people adjust very quickly to their orthodontic appliances.
Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?
Definitely! It is very important to continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleanings and dental checkups while you are wearing braces.
